KEY POINTS:
The Air Force is thinking of bringing back its retired Aermacchi training jets if their sale to an American company falls through.
The 17 Italian-built advanced pilot training aircraft were sold as part of a deal that also included the Air Force's 17 combat Skyhawk jets.
However, the sale of both fleets, worth $155 million, have been delayed by the US State Department.
The Skyhawk fleet is mothballed at Woodbourne and the Aermacchis are at Ohakea. The RNZAF confirmed yesterday that it was considering bringing the Aermacchis back into service as a replacement for the five Beech King Air twin-propeller training aircraft.
The lease on the King Air aircraft was due to be renewed but the Air Force said if the sale of the Aermacchis fell through and they were brought back into service, the lease on the King Airs would probably not be renewed.
The Aermacchis were considered a stepping stone for pilots who did basic training on the single-engine air trainers before they graduated to advanced training on the King Airs and then to other aircraft, including Boeing 757s, Orions, Hercules and helicopters.
Air Force spokesman Squadron Leader Glenn Davies said the Aermacchis were being flown at least once a month.
However, until the Air Force was told otherwise the Aermacchis were part of the Skyhawk sale and their future in New Zealand would depend on the sale.
He said if the deal fell through there was also an option to sell the Aermacchis in a separate deal.
Early this year Defence Minister Phil Goff said the delay in the sale of the two fleets had nothing to do with New Zealand's policies. The sale needed US Government approval because they were purchased from America.
The Aermacchis entered service from 1991 to 1993.
- NZPA
