Royal New Zealand Air Force

Royal New Zealand Air Force
Ensign of the Royal New Zealand Air Force
Founded	1913 (first military aviation) 1923 (New Zealand Permanent Air Force formed) 1 April 1937 (Independent service)
Country	New Zealand
Size	3,100 personnel (including civilian employees) (2010) 53 aircraft (2010)[citation needed]
Part of	New Zealand Defence Force
Motto	Per ardua ad astra Latin:"Through Adversity to the Stars"
Flying hours	190 per year per pilot (IISS 2008)
Commanders
Chief of Air Force	Air Vice-Marshal Graham Lintott
Insignia
Roundels

Aircraft

• 6 x Lockheed P-3K Orions are operated in the maritime patrol mission. Five were originally delivered in 1966 as P-3Bs. Another was purchased from the RAAF in 1985, following which all were upgraded to their current standard.
• 5 x Kaman SH-2G(NZ) Seasprites were purchased in 1997 for operation from the RNZN's Anzac class frigates. Although these are navy aircraft and they are operated by Navy pilots, they are maintained by RNZAF personnel including maintenance planning etc.
• 5 x Beechcraft B200 King Airs Three were leased by the RNZAF in 1998, with a further two leased in 2000. These are used in the multi-engined training role.
• 2 x Boeing 757-200s are operated in the fast air transport role.
• 5 x Lockheed C-130H Hercules are operated in the air transport role. Three were delivered in 1966, with a further two in 1969.
• 13 x Bell UH-1H Iroquois are the most numerous operational aircraft in the RNZAF inventory.
• 12 x Pacific Aerospace CT-4E Airtrainers were leased by the RNZAF in 1998 to serve as the air force's basic flying trainer.
• 5 x Bell 47 Sioux are in service as basic helicopter trainers. Five Agusta A109 helicopters will be delivered from October 2010 to replace the Sioux.
• 8 x NHI NH90 helicopters have been purchased by the Ministry of Defence for $771 million, including costs for parts and services. Expected to be operational in New Zealand from 2010, they will replace the Iroquois.

In addition a historic flight maintains airworthy Harvard and Tiger Moth trainers. 17 A-4Ks and 17 Aermacchi trainers are also retained in flyable storage condition.