NZAero SuperPac to Support Flying Doctor Charity in Australian Outback Race

Hamilton’s NZAero SuperPac 750XL-II to Embark on Australian Tour Supporting the Royal Flying Doctor Service

New Zealand aviation manufacturer NZAero is preparing to send one of its most advanced aircraft across the Tasman for a high-profile charity mission. The Hamilton-based company’s SuperPac 750XL-II will participate in the 2025 Outback Air Race – a fundraising challenge in support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), which delivers critical healthcare to some of Australia’s most isolated communities.

NZAero SuperPac 750XL-II aircraft on runway ahead of Australian charity tour
NZAero’s SuperPac 750XL-II ready to depart for the Outback Air Race charity tour

NZAero SuperPac 750XL-II: A New Standard in Remote Access Aircraft

The NZAero SuperPac 750XL-II is the world’s first commercial XSTOL (Extremely Short Take-Off and Landing) aircraft, designed specifically for operations in locations with little or no aviation infrastructure. It can land on short, unsealed runways and take off from confined spaces, giving it access to disaster zones, rural airstrips, and areas inaccessible to conventional planes.

With the capacity to carry nine passengers or up to 2,000 kilograms of cargo, the SuperPac has already proven itself in 28 countries. It has played key roles in medical evacuations, humanitarian aid missions, and disaster response operations for agencies including the United Nations World Food Programme and various Pacific nations’ emergency services.

Innovation Born from Decades of Expertise

NZAero CEO Stephen Burrows says the SuperPac was developed in direct response to the rising need for adaptable, high-performance aircraft in emergency and development settings.

“The demand for aircraft capable of operating in extreme and unpredictable conditions is growing rapidly. The SuperPac was engineered to meet that demand — it’s fast to deploy, versatile in function, and reliable under pressure,” Burrows explains.

The aircraft’s seven-year development programme builds on decades of New Zealand’s agricultural aviation expertise, scaled and refined to meet humanitarian, defence, and government requirements worldwide.

Multi-Role Capability for Civilian and Defence Applications

The NZAero SuperPac features a modular design that allows rapid reconfiguration for a variety of missions. These include aerial firefighting, cloud seeding, freight delivery, agricultural topdressing, border security, aerial surveillance, and scientific research. Its flexibility makes it an asset for both civilian and defence operators, as well as for commercial services requiring rapid turnaround between different roles.

“We designed this aircraft to do more with less — less runway, less infrastructure, less downtime. The SuperPac can land where others can’t, and lift more than its own weight in payload,” says Burrows.

Australian Tour Showcasing NZAero Innovation

Scheduled to depart Hamilton on 7 August 2025, the SuperPac 750XL-II will make stopovers at Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island before beginning an extensive Australian circuit. Alongside competing in the Outback Air Race — covering more than 3,800 kilometres — the aircraft will visit over 40 regional locations across Queensland, New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT, and Sydney.

The tour will also see the aircraft engage with aero clubs, aviation schools, and local airfields, providing first-hand demonstrations of its XSTOL performance to pilots, industry professionals, and aviation enthusiasts.

Purpose-Built for the Royal Flying Doctor Service Environment

NZAero director and pilot Dee Bond, who will fly the SuperPac during the race, says the aircraft’s features make it ideal for the RFDS’s day-to-day work in remote areas.

“This is an aircraft designed to reach communities that are otherwise hard to access. Whether it’s a medivac flight, delivering emergency supplies after a flood, or assisting during bushfire response, the SuperPac gets in and out quickly and safely,” Bond says.

Bond notes that while the air race is a charity challenge, it also offers a chance for Australian operators to see the aircraft in action. “Feedback from international users has been outstanding — we hope to show our Australian counterparts the potential it offers here too.”

Recognised by National Media

The story of the NZAero SuperPac’s upcoming mission has already been featured by major outlets including The Waikato Times. This coverage reflects both the aircraft’s technological significance and its potential to strengthen medical and humanitarian operations across the region.

Screenshot of Waikato Times coverage on NZAero SuperPac 750XL-II charity mission
Waikato Times highlights NZAero’s SuperPac 750XL-II in national media

About NZAero

Hamilton-based NZAero is a global leader in specialist utility aircraft manufacturing, with its designs deployed across agriculture, humanitarian aid, defence, and commercial industries in more than 25 countries. Its aircraft are known for their rugged performance, innovative engineering, and ability to operate in extreme conditions.

About Impact PR

Impact PR is a leading PR agency in Auckland specialising in strategic communications, media outreach, and brand positioning across aviation, technology, and transport sectors. Our expertise helps innovators like NZAero share their stories, generate national media coverage, and connect with global audiences.