Revolutionary SuperPac aircraft debuts in Australia tour & race
Aircraft tour
The SuperPac 750XL-II, produced by NZAero, is the world's first commercial Extremely Short Take-Off and Landing (XSTOL) aircraft. The aircraft requires only 200 metres for take-off and is capable of landing on steep, rugged or unsealed terrain. Already in use by the United Nations and humanitarian agencies across 28 countries, its Australian debut coincides with its participation in the 2025 Outback Air Race.
The aircraft will be showcased in 22 public stopovers across Queensland, northern New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, Canberra and Sydney during August and September. Notable stops include Port Macquarie, Toowoomba, Rockhampton, Cairns, Mt Isa, Yulara, Alice Springs, Katherine, Broome, Carnarvon, Perth, Albany, Adelaide, Melbourne, Hobart, Canberra, Sydney, and Newcastle.
Humanitarian capability
The SuperPac 750XL-II was developed over seven years and is described as a next-generation, more powerful and fuel-efficient update of the 750XL. Its design enables take-off from and landing on semi-prepared strips, hillsides and other challenging terrains, making it suitable for post-disaster evacuations and humanitarian supply runs.
Stephen Burrows, Chief Executive Officer of NZAero, explained how the aircraft addresses challenges posed by climate change and remote access. "We know that the effect of climate change is accelerating across the world and it is now more devastating to human health, economies and the environment than ever before. Increasingly, the fight against its impact is being fought by nations around the world from the skies. For geographical areas which are heavily impacted by drought, natural disaster or are geographically isolated, this utility aircraft can lift more than its own weight, bringing hundreds of kilograms of supplies to remote regions and leaving with a cargo hold full of perishable produce, providing a critical economic lifeline. The smaller aircraft requires less training to fly and less time to refuel and take on more retardant. It can also climb to altitude significantly faster and requires a landing strip that is a fraction of the length of large planes. The humanitarian aid agencies we work with across the globe tell us our aircraft saves lives every day it is operating,"
he says.
Burrows added that modular accessories allow the aircraft to be converted quickly for roles such as dispersing fire retardant during wildfires, cloud seeding via rainmaking silver iodide particles over drought-affected regions, or agricultural applications such as topdressing.
The SuperPac is already operational in the Pacific Islands, supporting medical evacuation, humanitarian aid, disaster response, border patrol and maritime surveillance. It also operates as part of the United Nations World Food Programme in Africa.
Race and tour details
The 2025 Outback Air Race, a 3,800km aerial time trial supporting the RFDS, will feature over 40 participating aircraft. Since its inception, the event has raised more than AUD $4 million for the Flying Doctor, which provides aeromedical retrieval services for rural and remote communities. The race will begin in Yulara, Northern Territory, and end in Carnarvon, Western Australia. The event is judged on navigation precision and timing rather than speed and covers 10 scheduled stopovers over 15 days. Participants and crews are drawn from across Australia and New Zealand.
The SuperPac will complete a pre-race tour from 7 to 21 August, making stops throughout eastern Queensland and northern New South Wales. A further post-race tour will begin in Perth, travelling through South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, Canberra, Sydney and Newcastle.
Communities, aero clubs, and aviation schools along the planned route are encouraged to reach out for visits or demonstrations. The tour is intended to raise awareness of the RFDS's work and to introduce the SuperPac to Australian aviation enthusiasts.
Aviation applications
Dee Bond, NZAero Director and pilot for the Outback Air Race, said the event will be the first occasion the SuperPac is seen in Australia's airspace. "We're excited to meet fellow pilots, engineers and aviation enthusiasts across Australia and to introduce them to a uniquely capable aircraft. This tour is more than a showcase – it's a celebration of how aviation can change lives, especially in remote and challenging environments,"
she says.
Bond emphasised the SuperPac's suitability for medivac service operations. "Whether it's evacuating a patient from a remote cattle station or delivering urgent supplies after a cyclone, this aircraft was built for exactly those kinds of missions. It can operate on short, unsealed airstrips or roads and carry significant payloads, making it a practical tool for medivac, disaster relief and humanitarian response. It also allows us to demonstrate how advanced aviation engineering is solving real-world problems. This aircraft's modular design means it can be reconfigured within minutes for tasks like freight, surveillance or passenger transport. We're proud to support the Royal Flying Doctor Service by participating in this year's race, and we hope the tour inspires more people to understand what's possible when innovation is driven by purpose,"
she says.
NZAero states that the aircraft can be used for numerous additional applications, including surveying, pollution monitoring, passenger and cargo transport to remote sites, aerial photography, and geophysical surveying, such as detecting variations in the Earth's magnetic field and measuring greenhouse gas concentrations. According to Burrows: "The predecessors to the SuperPac have also formed a critical part of the agricultural sector for the past five decades, spreading fertiliser and pesticides. With climate change set to dramatically increase the intensity of locust swarms this technology is also playing a role in protecting crops around the world. The planes can now be equipped with Lidar, which scientists are using to map in 3D to help with flood modelling, measuring post-climatic event land movements, as well as identifying the optimal location for forestry tracks, rail and the power industry. This equipment is also used by researchers in other nations to detect the remains of ancient civilisations",
he says.
Aero clubs and communities along the tour route are invited to view the aircraft and engage with the NZAero team during public stopovers.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NZ Herald
11 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Queenstown's Carlin Residence Club: What's it like staying in a $6k a night penthouse?
The Carlin is staggered over Queenstown hills. Photo / James Allan. BDO Christchurch, appointed to settle Carlin's estate, found debt of $45 million. Paynter coyly told the hiker he was an 'old property developer'. (He's actually developed several big projects across New Zealand). 'She said, 'Well, have I got a deal for you... Do you want to buy it?'' Paynter tells me over a glass of Quartz Reef Central Otago Brut in a luxury suite with an unobstructed view of Lake Wakatipu, The Remarkables and the Skyline Queenstown gondola going up and down from Bob's Peak. Paynter asked if she had heard of a co-ownership model, and The Carlin Residence Club was born. Alanah Eriksen enjoys the expansive deck of the penthouse. With the hotel's Australian owner and US fractional ownership company Elite Alliance, Paynter is bringing a concept never before seen in New Zealand. Individuals can purchase a tenth of a title of one of the former hotel's eight units. Prices start at $550,000 for a share of one of the six two-bedroom 145m2 units. The one-bedroom 172m2 penthouse is $695,000 and the three-room 236m2 presidential suite is $895,000. But the public can still benefit from the revamp - apartment owners can rent out the properties for between $3000 and $7000 a night. The penthouse The penthouse suite at Queenstown's, The Carlin. So what is a $6000-a-night penthouse like? Spacious and elegant, with the critical design feature that everything is oriented towards the mountains. I got to stay at The Carlin over a weekend in June and the first thing that strikes you is the panoramic view from the expansive deck, which runs the length of the unit. The penthouse suite, which is due to be refurbished. You could entertain 20 people on this epic deck. But you conveniently won't be obliged to house them afterwards as it's a one-bedroom pad. The technology is more advanced than anywhere I've stayed, with a heated spa with all the jets and bubble functions you could hope for. You can even play music out of it. There are several light settings, two big flat-screen TVs, a remote control fireplace, a heat pump and a marble fire pit on the deck. And one suspects there is also some sort of central heating on top of all this gadgetry because if you turn off all of these heaters, the apartment still stays warm. The massive ensuite has heated tiles and a heated toilet seat with bidet functions. But there is also a more traditional non-electronic second throne (or powder room) if you get intimidated. And for a touch of spice - the shower has no door. A deep freestanding bathtub even has a pillow for residents to rest their heads after a day of hitting the slopes, wineries or shops. In the bedroom, guests can wake up in the plush, super king bed (after booting off the dozens of pillows arranged into an elaborate pyramid) to look out on to the lake. Guests can enjoy fluffy robes with The Carlin emblem on them, and bamboo slippers. The penthouse offers a deep bathtub and a heated toilet seat. The little details are on point. Fluffy white robes carry the iconic teal-coloured Carlin emblem. In the same colour, a jewellery holder next to the bed is perfect for residents' diamond earrings, and a shoe shiner and shoehorn take pride of place in the bathroom. If you need it, there's a full chef's kitchen but guests are offered a cooked breakfast in the residents lounge, which would suit those flying in from far-flung locations. The suite offers a full kitchen. A render of The Carlin's residents lounge. Guests can also enjoy a free cocktail at happy hour and mouth-watering tapas in the lounge. My favourite pre-dinner morsels were the braised lamb shoulder croquettes with smoked aioli, chimichurri and Grana Padano. The fresh tuna and blood orange tartare taco and the overnight-cooked beef ribs with kimchi glaze and fried shallots were also a dream. Guests can enjoy complimentary tapas, including the braised lamb shoulder croquettes with smoked aioli, chimichuri and Grana Padano. Fresh tuna and blood orange tartare taco. Overnight cooked beef ribs with kimchi glaze and fried shallots. The concierge is at your beck and call, arranging a massage in a club treatment room or on your majestic deck if you prefer. Other services include a pre-arrival grocery shop, charter boat and shuttle service bookings and bespoke tours. The Carlin also has a gym, electric bikes, clothing and equipment storage and laundry services. So much to do If you can part with the room and brave the winter, I recommend getting your steps up with a 10-minute walk to the city's array of bars and restaurants. Sunfire's market fish - a creamy dish that includes clams, prawns, bacon, smoked potato and velouté was to die for. Eichardt's Bar, attached to the hotel of the same name, which has welcomed travellers through its doors since 1861, was a cool, cosy spot for a nightcap. Eichardt's Private Hotel is right on the lakefront in Queenstown. Once home to Queenstown's first building — William Rees' woolshed - the bar's fireplace and leather couches keep you comfortable and toasty and the cocktails are refreshing. At Madam Woo, which defied the odds to emerge from voluntary administration in 2023, the pork dumplings in hot broth, beef rendang and honey and soy-tossed squid are a must-try. The Ginger Mojito and Asia Classic are also worth a go. Madam Woo in Queenstown. Picture / James Allan. Coronet Peak is just a short car drive from the property, or go a bit further to Cardrona. Even if you're not a skier, the hairy drive up the mountain is worth it for the view. On the way down, warm up with a mulled wine and soup of the day (potato and leek was on offer at the time) at the iconic Cardrona Hotel. Despite its reputation as a winter wonderland, Paynter says Queenstown is much busier in the summer with people jetting in for the hiking, cycling and wineries. Alanah Eriksen at the Cardrona Hotel. Queenstown's Ayrburn. Photo / Jason Oxenham It's also worth checking out the Rifters gin tasting room in Arrowtown. The New Zealand brand has just won the World's Best Navy Gin award at the prestigious World Drinks Awards in London. Timeshare v fractional ownership With a commerce degree up his sleeve and a wife and daughter who are high-end interior designers (three homes they worked on have won the New Zealand's House of the Year Award), Paynter's Duchamp Collective is giving The Carlin a new lease on life. And he's the man for it - after university, Paynter worked for his father's construction company which built the Queen Elizabeth II Park, a multi-purpose stadium, for the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch. He went on to build Wānaka's Edgewater Resort, retirement villages and shopping complexes. Developer Richmond Paynter of DuChamp Collective. Duchamp's interior designers, Susie and Teassa Paynter. Elite's first development was a set of apartments in Utah's Deer Valley 35 years ago. Owners of The Carlin apartments can trade in their weeks for 120 properties within the Elite group dotted around the world, including in Marrakesh, Sicily, Tulum, Bali, Whistler and Dubai. So how does the concept differ to a timeshare? 'You are buying capital, not time,' says Paynter. President of Elite Rob Goodyear adds that The Carlin concept is perfect for people who 'don't want to feel anchored to one location'. 'People who have holiday homes really only use them 35 days a year... we release them from the burden of full home ownership.' CHECKLIST Getting there Four airlines fly to and from Queenstown, including Air New Zealand, Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar. The Carlin offers airport transfers. Details For more information, visit New Zealand Herald Travel visited courtsey of The Carlin.
Techday NZ
a day ago
- Techday NZ
Revolutionary SuperPac aircraft debuts in Australia tour & race
A new humanitarian aircraft will be seen for the first time in Australian airspace as it tours the country ahead of the Outback Air Race in support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS). Aircraft tour The SuperPac 750XL-II, produced by NZAero, is the world's first commercial Extremely Short Take-Off and Landing (XSTOL) aircraft. The aircraft requires only 200 metres for take-off and is capable of landing on steep, rugged or unsealed terrain. Already in use by the United Nations and humanitarian agencies across 28 countries, its Australian debut coincides with its participation in the 2025 Outback Air Race. The aircraft will be showcased in 22 public stopovers across Queensland, northern New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, Canberra and Sydney during August and September. Notable stops include Port Macquarie, Toowoomba, Rockhampton, Cairns, Mt Isa, Yulara, Alice Springs, Katherine, Broome, Carnarvon, Perth, Albany, Adelaide, Melbourne, Hobart, Canberra, Sydney, and Newcastle. Humanitarian capability The SuperPac 750XL-II was developed over seven years and is described as a next-generation, more powerful and fuel-efficient update of the 750XL. Its design enables take-off from and landing on semi-prepared strips, hillsides and other challenging terrains, making it suitable for post-disaster evacuations and humanitarian supply runs. Stephen Burrows, Chief Executive Officer of NZAero, explained how the aircraft addresses challenges posed by climate change and remote access. "We know that the effect of climate change is accelerating across the world and it is now more devastating to human health, economies and the environment than ever before. Increasingly, the fight against its impact is being fought by nations around the world from the skies. For geographical areas which are heavily impacted by drought, natural disaster or are geographically isolated, this utility aircraft can lift more than its own weight, bringing hundreds of kilograms of supplies to remote regions and leaving with a cargo hold full of perishable produce, providing a critical economic lifeline. The smaller aircraft requires less training to fly and less time to refuel and take on more retardant. It can also climb to altitude significantly faster and requires a landing strip that is a fraction of the length of large planes. The humanitarian aid agencies we work with across the globe tell us our aircraft saves lives every day it is operating," he says. Burrows added that modular accessories allow the aircraft to be converted quickly for roles such as dispersing fire retardant during wildfires, cloud seeding via rainmaking silver iodide particles over drought-affected regions, or agricultural applications such as topdressing. The SuperPac is already operational in the Pacific Islands, supporting medical evacuation, humanitarian aid, disaster response, border patrol and maritime surveillance. It also operates as part of the United Nations World Food Programme in Africa. Race and tour details The 2025 Outback Air Race, a 3,800km aerial time trial supporting the RFDS, will feature over 40 participating aircraft. Since its inception, the event has raised more than AUD $4 million for the Flying Doctor, which provides aeromedical retrieval services for rural and remote communities. The race will begin in Yulara, Northern Territory, and end in Carnarvon, Western Australia. The event is judged on navigation precision and timing rather than speed and covers 10 scheduled stopovers over 15 days. Participants and crews are drawn from across Australia and New Zealand. The SuperPac will complete a pre-race tour from 7 to 21 August, making stops throughout eastern Queensland and northern New South Wales. A further post-race tour will begin in Perth, travelling through South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, Canberra, Sydney and Newcastle. Communities, aero clubs, and aviation schools along the planned route are encouraged to reach out for visits or demonstrations. The tour is intended to raise awareness of the RFDS's work and to introduce the SuperPac to Australian aviation enthusiasts. Aviation applications Dee Bond, NZAero Director and pilot for the Outback Air Race, said the event will be the first occasion the SuperPac is seen in Australia's airspace. "We're excited to meet fellow pilots, engineers and aviation enthusiasts across Australia and to introduce them to a uniquely capable aircraft. This tour is more than a showcase – it's a celebration of how aviation can change lives, especially in remote and challenging environments," she says. Bond emphasised the SuperPac's suitability for medivac service operations. "Whether it's evacuating a patient from a remote cattle station or delivering urgent supplies after a cyclone, this aircraft was built for exactly those kinds of missions. It can operate on short, unsealed airstrips or roads and carry significant payloads, making it a practical tool for medivac, disaster relief and humanitarian response. It also allows us to demonstrate how advanced aviation engineering is solving real-world problems. This aircraft's modular design means it can be reconfigured within minutes for tasks like freight, surveillance or passenger transport. We're proud to support the Royal Flying Doctor Service by participating in this year's race, and we hope the tour inspires more people to understand what's possible when innovation is driven by purpose," she says. NZAero states that the aircraft can be used for numerous additional applications, including surveying, pollution monitoring, passenger and cargo transport to remote sites, aerial photography, and geophysical surveying, such as detecting variations in the Earth's magnetic field and measuring greenhouse gas concentrations. According to Burrows: "The predecessors to the SuperPac have also formed a critical part of the agricultural sector for the past five decades, spreading fertiliser and pesticides. With climate change set to dramatically increase the intensity of locust swarms this technology is also playing a role in protecting crops around the world. The planes can now be equipped with Lidar, which scientists are using to map in 3D to help with flood modelling, measuring post-climatic event land movements, as well as identifying the optimal location for forestry tracks, rail and the power industry. This equipment is also used by researchers in other nations to detect the remains of ancient civilisations", he says. Aero clubs and communities along the tour route are invited to view the aircraft and engage with the NZAero team during public stopovers.
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Award-winning holiday park sold to overseas investor for unknown amount
Wānaka's Top 10 Holiday Park. PHOTO: ODT FILES Wānaka's award-winning Top 10 Holiday Park has been sold to an overseas-based joint venture, which intends to maintain its current use. Overseas Investment Act decisions released yesterday show Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand has granted consent to Tasman Tourism New Zealand Ltd to acquire a freehold interest in about 3ha of land in Studholme Rd. The applicant is a joint venture between an Australian private equity firm with experience in the holiday park industry and an investment company based in the United Arab Emirates. It owns and operates holiday parks in New Zealand, including Te Anau, under the Tasman Holiday Parks brand. The Wānaka park, which won the supreme award at the Top 10 national awards in 2022, was sold by Andrew and Andrea Kendrick and the purchase price was withheld. ■ A forestry investment company has been granted consent to acquire freehold interests in 641.1ha of land in Cameron Rd, Waipahi, and a further 3182.03ha in Otago and Southland for undisclosed sums. Anzlaff NZ Ltd was established and is managed by New Forests Asset Management Pty Ltd for investing in plantation forestry in New Zealand and specific parts of Australia. It is owned by 14 overseas institutional investor entities. Companies managed by New Forests Asset Management Pty Ltd have previously made several forestry investments around New Zealand. The Waipahi property, which was owned by JEB Farming, comprises about 641ha of freehold land. The total productive area is about 548ha of majority Pinus radiata and a small amount of Cupressus macrocarpa and eucalyptus. The applicant plans to continue using the land for production forestry with harvesting planned for 2053. The larger swathe of land totals about 3200ha of freehold land comprising nine forestry estates, which will also continue to be used for production forestry. The total productive area of the property is about 2651ha of mostly Pinus radiata and a small amount of Douglas fir. The land was marketed together in a joint sale commissioned by the vendors — NZP Forestry Ltd Partnership, All In Forestry Ltd, Harbour View Forest Ltd Partnership, Katea Ltd Partnership, Longview Farm (Otago) Ltd, NZ Timber No 1 Ltd Partnership and Treebilly Holdings Ltd — which share some common investors and engage the same forest manager.
