Wettenhall Air Services pilots Nigel Wettenhall and Phil Oakes with the King Air 260.
It’s been a month since Deniliquin became home to Australia’s first Beechcraft King Air 260, and the plane has been generating a good amount of interest since.
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Custom made for Wettenhall Air Services, it is perfect for turning a cumbersome trip into a quick one.
The six-seater plane arrived in Australia in late March, and brought to Deniliquin by Nigel Wettenhall and Phil Oakes on March 23.
In a true demonstration of speed, they made the trip from Essendon Airport to Deniliquin in just under 30 minutes.
Wettenhall Air Service co-owner Russell Tait said since its arrival, the company has received three bookings and plenty more enquiries.
He said the interest has resulted in a waiting list of passengers keen for weekend getaways to Lake Eyre and Birdsville, for which he said packages are still being developed.
“We ordered this plane specifically to provide another option for people,” Mr Tait said.
“We expect it will be used mainly for corporate travel, especially as it can get you to Sydney in about an hour, but the interest in weekend trips is also pretty positive.
“Agribusiness companies have been particularly interested in the service we can now provide, which is all about convenience.
“The weekend sightseeing getaways is something we really want to get going, but we’re still working on that.
“Lake Eyre is expected to be full for a while, so we have time.”
The King Air 260 as it arrived in Deniliquin for the first time in March.
The King Air 260 is the latest of the King Air 200 series, and was built in Wichita, Kansas.
“We wanted a plane that was versatile,” Mr Tait said.
“It can land on all surfaces, which is ideal for clients who want us to land on their private landing strips.
“It also has a short take off and landing capability, and it’s fairly fast.
“It ticked all the boxes for a versatile charter operation.”
Mr Tait said the plane also boasts the “latest and greatest navigation and safety equipment”, and also caters to passenger comfort.
On board is a toilet and a coffee station/buffet.
The King Air 260 is available for charter and hire, group charter, corporate/leisure flights and scenic tours.
More more information or to make a booking, contact the team at Wettenhall Air Services on 5881 2504 or Nigel Wettenhall on 0418 362 428.
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