New contract covers PC-9s

TENDERS have been called for the maintenance of a range of different mechanical and avionic components to support the Royal Australian Air Force PC-9 fleet.

The Air Force operates 65 PC-9s, principally for pilot training. They are based at RAAF Bases Pearce, East Sale, Edinburgh and Williamtown.

The maintenance of these components is currently undertaken by a range of companies under a variety of small contracts and standing offers.

The new tender seeks to consolidate support for 97 maintenance components under a single long-term contract.
Defence Minister Senator Robert Hill said the contract would also include a number of additional responsibilities for the contractor, together with a more rigorous performance and quality regime.

“The PC-9 aircraft fleet is not due for replacement until at least 2010,” Senator Hill said. “By offering industry a long-term consolidated contract, and by transferring to the contractor responsibility for spares provisioning and engineering support, we expect to achieve improved response times and greater efficiencies.”

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