The first arrivals
Two aircraft arrive in Mudgee in July. X-Air Australia establishes its online presence in August. The first archived newsletter follows in December.
OUR STORY / EST. JULY 1998
Two aircraft.
A world of possibility.
A business born in Mudgee, a new home on the Gold Coast, and an enduring community of builders, pilots and owners.
MICHAEL COATES / X-AIR AUSTRALIA
Making light aviation
part of everyday life.
The original business profile records the arrival of two X-Air aircraft in July 1998. One went to the Mudgee District Sport Aviation Club; the other became X-Air Australia's evaluation and demonstration aircraft.
Airshows, flight reviews and word of mouth introduced the aircraft to more pilots. The archive preserves that journey in the language and photographs of its time.
A community takes shape
Newsletters record Natfly at Narromine, aircraft deliveries and developments in amateur-built registration. Reviews introduce the X-Air to readers overseas.
A move to Queensland
In February, Michael sells his photographic and graphic arts divisions and the family moves to the Gold Coast. A workshop, stores and aircraft assembly facility follow.
The family grows
The preserved newsletters document a renewed Australian rollout and the Hanuman. The manual collection captures assembly and spare parts editions through 2009.
History preserved. Owners supported.
X-Air Australia continues to sell and supply spare parts stock for customers. This living archive brings the aircraft, stories and reference documents together.