HISTORY
North West Aviation established by Paul &
Pam Mitrega, commenced business at Inverell Airport, Gilgai
in May 1986. Paul is the managing director/chief engineer
of North West Aviation Pty Ltd and the following is a summary
of his career.
After leaving school Paul gained employment
at Hazelton Air Services at Cudal NSW in January, 1973. Paul
gained his Private Pilots Licence in 1974 and his Commercial
Licence in 1979. Paul also continued studying for his aircraft
maintenance engineers licence, gaining his licence in 1980.
While at Hazelton's Paul also had DCA approval to operate
from agricultural airstrips allowing him to fly into these
airstrips and carry out field repairs when necessary for the
large fleet of agricultural aircraft operated by Hazelton's
at that time.
In 1981 Paul went to work for Helicopter
Aviation Services in the Gulf region of northern Queensland.
Here he carried out maintenance on three Bell 47 helicopters
and a Cessna 180. Paul used the Cessna 180 to travel between
the helicopters that worked over a large area.
After a season in the Gulf Paul moved on
to Aerotechnics in Canberra where he held the position of
workshop foreman. Aerotechnics maintained a large range of
aircraft from small singles to twin engine turbine powered
IFR aircraft. While at Aerotechnics Paul was sent to the US
where he carried out containerisation of aircraft for import
to Australia. Flying duties which included ferrying, flight
testing after maintenance and flying to locations to carry
out maintenance were also part of Paul's job.
In 1986 Paul decided to start his own business
and thus North West Aviation commenced. Initially North West
Aviation started maintaining the fleet of DHC-2 Beavers operated
by Aerial Agriculture. Business increased to include other
private and charter aircraft. The purchase of a Cessna 180
in 1987, allowed aircraft to be repaired quickly if and when
problems occurred in the field.

North West Aviation hanger prior to commencing operations
May 1986
Today the company maintains a large fleet
of aircraft both private and commercial from a wide area of
northern NSW. Over the years Paul has continued to increase
his licence coverage and now has a great number of endorsements
in the Airframe Engine Instrument Electrical and Radio Categories.
Pam Mitrega handles all the administration
work at North West Aviation Pty Ltd. Pam has a Bachelor of
Education, and taught secondary mathematics till 1986 when
Paul and her commenced business in Inverell. The staff at
North West Aviation have been very stable since the company
was established.
Apart from Paul & Pam Mitrega there are
three other employees. Glen Dick was a qualified automotive
mechanic before being employed by North West Aviation Pty
Ltd 14 years ago. Glen is a very skilled tradesman and is
presently studying for his aircraft Maintenance Engineers
Licence.
Mark Harmon joined the company in November
1989 after leaving school. Mark was selected as the leading
apprentice in the Upper Hunter region by the Hunter Apprentiship
Training & Promotional Advisory Committee in 1994. On
this occasion North West Aviation was also awarded the Upper
Hunter region Trainer of the Year in the field of aircraft
maintenance. Mark has an aircraft maintenance engineers licence
in the airframe and engine categories and is presently studying
for his avionics licence.
Jason Dowell has been with the company for
over 5 years and is an able member of the team. Jason specialises
in sheet metal work.
From its beginnings in 1986 North West Aviation
Pty Ltd has grown in both staff and services it provides.
It can now equally cater for the needs of the individual aircraft
owner or companies operating charter, agricultural or flying
school aircraft.
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