Bob and Pam McCabe started running ‘Coondair – Coonalpyn Downs Air’ (now Aerotech) in Tintinara, with 2 Cessna 180’s and 1 Ceres (pictured)
With long standing partnerships with our customers we have evolved to become one of Australia’s leading providers of airborne solutions across a variety of sectors, including Government, agriculture, oil, gas, mining and construction. Being an innovator is at the core of what we do, which means we have achieved a host of Australian firsts along the way. We are proud of our history so far and excited about what the future holds.
3 Pawnees were purchased – custom built aircraft for aerial application.
The first Air Tractors were purchased. 2 AT 301’s (radial engines)
Rego’s VH-ODB, VU-ODM
2 more Air Tractors are purchased. 2 AT 401’s (radial engines)
Rego’s VH-ODS, VH-ODK
Aerotech’s first turbine engine Air Tractors are purchased – 2 AT-502’s. Rego VH-ODP & VH-ODC
6 x 502’s were then purchased in the following 4 years.
Sam McCabe ‘officially’ employed by Coondair after completing his commercial pilot’s license. Although had ‘unofficially’ been working for years.
Australian Maritime Resources (now Aerotech 1st Response) was established to cater for growing opportunities with the CFS in aerial firefighting and AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority) for oil spill response (Kirki Oil Spill, WA
Coondair was considered an outdated name and ‘Aerotech’ was officially established in July.
Aerotech expanded South Australian operations to the mid north at Hoyleton
Commenced operations in Malaysia spreading fertiliser
Purchased Aerotech’s first AT-802 (rego VH-ODZ) – the world largest Single Engine Air Tanker aircraft. These now make up the bulk of the fixed wing fleet
Expanded operations in South Australia to the Eyre Peninsula, purchasing an existing business at Cummins (Eyreial Ag Services)
Aerotech moved into rotary wing industry and established Aerotech Helicopters
Aerotech relocated and centralised head office to Parafield Airport and built all new state of the art maintenance facility
Aerotech purchase 2 ex US Military Black Hawk helicopter. In an Australian first, these are the first to be owned and operated by civilians in Australia.
Aerotech purchase Aircraft Electrical Services, re-name it Aerotech Avionics and bring it in-house at Parafield Airport.
