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.
Carrying out maintenance on DHC-2 Beavers 1986
Today the company maintains a large fleet
of aircraft both private and commercial from a wide area of
Queensland and NSW. Over the years Paul has continued to increase
his licence coverage and now has many 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.
Paul William Mitrega (Paulie) joined the company in 2003. He is a licenced engineer in the airframe and engine categories. Paulie was a recipient of the 2006 Jeppesen Scholarship which is co-sponsored by the Regional Aviation Association of Australia and Jeppesen. Paulie was also selected as the leading apprentice in the New England, North West and Upper Hunter Region by the Greater Northern Skills Development Group. Paulie enjoys the challenge of complex aircraft systems and is now studying for a licence in the electrical category. Paulie also has a private pilot licence.
Paddy Mitrega joined the company in 2006 and has completed his studies in Aircraft Structures at the Australasian Pacific Aeronautical College gaining Certificate IV in Structures. His passion for sheet metal work has been a great asset to North West Aviation Pty Ltd. Paddy has gained valuable experience in major sheet metal repairs, modifications to airframe structures and the rebuilding of aircraft. Paddy is now studying to gain his aircraft engineers licence in the airframe category.
From its beginnings in 1986 North West Aviation
Pty Ltd has grown in both staff and the services its personnel can provide.
We can equally cater for the maintenance needs of the individual aircraft
owner or companies operating charter, agricultural or flying
school aircraft. Our future aim is to continue to provide the same individual professional service that we have offered since our inception.
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