The name “Masling” has been associated with Australian Aviation for two generations covering nearly fifty year’s of innovative and industry leading involvement.
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From the mid 1950’s the late Jack Masling OAM (granted for services to the Australian Aviation Industry) created the leading Cessna distributorship in Australia and by the late 1960’s had become Australia’s pioneer in Commuter Aviation having also by this stage Piper Distributorship. The Company operated Cessna 402’s and Beech Queenaires progressing on to Brazilian Embraer Bandeirante aircraft. Masling Airlines grew to become an Embraer Distributor for the Australian-Papua New Guinea-South East Asian regions selling over thirty Bandeirante aircraft throughout these areas. |
By the 70’s Masling Airlines grew into a major New South Wales country passenger network and later purchased and developed “Aeropelican Commuter”. Thus creating Australia’s fourth largest carrier by transporting 200,000 passengers annually, operating 15 aircraft and employing 170 staff.
A feature of these Companies was the development of maintenance systems and quality maintenance facilities to support the high intensity flight schedules.
After the sale of “Masling Airlines” in 1981 the decision to enter the arena of specialised aircraft component overhaul and repair was made. To commemorate a new facility was built and established at Cootamundra airport and opened in 1982. The Company expanded quickly due to intimate industry knowledge with Jack Masling’s son Tony soon taking over the Company’s leadership. |
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Masling’s component capabilities broadened by becoming authorised distributors of the Schweizer and McDonnell Douglas Helicopters in 1986 and 1988 respectively. This branch of the Company became known as “Masling Rotor Wing” and offered extensive rebuilding, refurbishment and maintenance services for the Schweizer 300 (269) series; McDonnell Douglas 500 (369) series; and the Bell Jetranger/Longranger series of helicopters.
“Masling Rotor Wing” offered its customers extensive helicopter component overhaul services through “Masling Industries”. The components included; Main & Tail Rotor Gearboxes, Main & Tail Rotor Swashplates, Main & Undercarriage Dampers, Unilocks, Overrunning Clutches, Magnetoes, Starter Vibrators, Generators and Starter Motors to name a few.
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“Masling Rotor Wing” provided a complete structural fabrication and repair service in a purpose built facility separate from the main hangar, which also housed a specialised paint shop. In 1989 the Company moved into helicopter operations with the evolution of “Masling Helicopters”. This branch was formed to specialise in helicopter spotting and animal baiting for forestry operations, land survey work and power line inspection and repair contracts. “Masling Helicopters” operated Schweizer 300C, McDonnell Douglas 369C, D & E models as well as Bell 206 Jetranger helicopters. |
“Masling Helicopters” began a partnership with the American company “Haverfield” that was based in Miami, Florida. Masling’s were the first company in Australia to offer a professional “live line” helicopter airborne work system to service the national grid. This system revolutionised the maintenance of power supply systems as well as offering placement of line marker balls on transmission cables to improve aircraft safety through improved line visibility. (Aircraft contact with power lines is a leading cause of aircraft accidents worldwide). “Masling Industries” invested in quality equipment and personnel, which enabled them to provide first class services and support to the General Aviation industry. The Company’s dedication towards quality workmanship has always been, and continues to be, first class! Masling’s progressed further to offer complete overhaul facilities to the Allison 250 Series of turbine engine. The Engine Shop was fitted with state of the art equipment that included a computerised balancing machine. In 1990 Tony Masling had the idea to develop a Turbine Powered Boat. The long-term vision being that the turbine power system offered less weight and much improved performance over conventional propulsion systems currently being used.This million-dollar project saw the birth of “Marine Turbine Australia”. |
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The development brief was handed to Mr John Hill who spent nearly two years developing and implementing the design, co-ordinating and building the propulsion system. The system combined two Allison C30 Helicopter Turboshaft engines with a combining gearbox to power a prototype Hamilton two-stage water jet. The project was a world first. Apparent from its first outing, the performance figures demonstrated the unique attraction of gas turbine engines with their singular lack of vibration, greater power to weight ratio, better reliability and improved fuel economy. |
The modified C30’s put out nearly 1400 shp and propelled the 13 meter Riviera Marine “Diavolo” hull to over 100 km/h which was nearly double the normal speed achieved with standard diesel engines. The project also marked the first time a Hamilton Water Jet had been powered by turbine engines. The Two Stage Water Jet was designed to take in 80 tonnes of water a minute. The project attracted great interest from government agencies worldwide, plus commercial and military groups.
In December 1992 Managing Director of Maslings - Tony Masling was tragically killed in a helicopter accident. “Masling Industries” was restructured and continued supporting the aviation industry under the guidance and control of a Company Board of Directors.
The Company concentrates purely on Aviation Turbine Engine Component Maintenance and has retained the nucleus of highly trained personnel and management.
Through its continued dedication to the industry and providing quality service and management; Masling Industries attained ISO 9001-2000 accreditation in May of 2003. “Masling Industries” is held in high regard by Regulators and Manufacturers and are called upon to provide technical assistance during crash investigations both in Australia and New Zealand as well as being relied upon to update Manufacturers on pertinent details. Also, the Company have developed a close relationship with the Australian Military providing maintenance support and technical assistance. “Masling Industries” received certification as an Authorised Maintenance Organisation for the Australian Defence Force in September 2005.
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The “Masling” of today is more qualified and credentialed than ever and is at the forefront of the aviation industry in the area of Component Maintenance. The Company is considered an industry leader and supports the majority of private and commercial operators throughout Australia and the Pacific Rim.
Masling
Industries Pty. Ltd.
(Airport Hangar 3)
PO Box 511
Cootamundra NSW 2590
AUSTRALIA
Phone: +61 2 6942 3155
Fax: +61 2 6942 3250
