Photo Credit: Pacific Aerospace
Pacific Aerosapce, a New Zealand-based company that’s been producing airplanes since the 1950s, capped off a North American tour with its P-750XSTOL at EAA AirVenture this year.
The P-750 XSTOL has been primarily a skydiving airplane up to this point, with 12 operating in the U.S. But now the company is pushing out to more utility applications, such as aerial application, passenger operations, and cargo.
Pacific Aerospace calls the airplane XSTOL because it can takeoff in less than 800 feet and land in less than 600 feet. The basic empty weight is 3,300 pounds, and the maximum gross takeoff weight is 7,500 pounds, making the useful load two tons.
The most distinguishing aspect of the airplane is its unusual wing. It’s a slightly tapered design with a thick leading edge consistent with utility applications. But a little more than halfway down, it takes a dramatic angle up for a distinctive gull wing look. According to the company, it’s all about stability.
