February 2008
10am to 4pm
DEAN WILSON AVIATION LTD - GEOFF RAPH DRIVE, KINGAROY AIRPORT, QUEENSLAND.
We are throwing opening our doors for anyone to inspect where the Whitney Boomerang aircraft is manufactured. Receive a guided tour of the production facilities, enjoy a close inspection of the Boomerang aircraft, take part in a presentation seminar being held during the day, hear about investment and employment opportunites, and a lucky door competition to win a flight in the Boomerang! Refreshments included, doors open at 10am. Call (07) 4162 4880 for further details.
In a program of continued development, Dean-Wilson Aviation will be upgrading the 0-235 118hp Lycoming engine currently being used, to the Lycoming 0-235 125hp engine, adding a significant improvement to the aircraft's overall performance. The upgrade will take effect of production aircraft as a option.
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January 2008
The DW200 Whitney Boomerang received its Type Certificate on Wednesday 18th December following an extraordinary and at times, unbelievably frustrating journey for the staff of Dean-Wilson Aviation as they negotiated with CASA to complete their rigorous inspections. Bill Whitney was congratulated for his supreme effort in achieving the remarkable milestone,making the Boomerang only the 5th Australian built aircraft in history to have been granted a FAR 23 Certificate. The Type Certificate launches the Whitney Boomerang onto the world stage as a major contender for all pilot training establishments.
In an official ceremony held before the New Year at Jandakot Airport in Western Australia, Dean-Wilson Chairman Steve Wilson, handed over the first Whitney Boomerang to Minovation Chief Pilot, Min Stokes. Steve flew the aircraft form Kingaroy to Jandakot as part of an earlier agreement, and later flew the aircraft VH-KMB with Min, who reported the Boomerang as being“absolutely wonderful”.

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Former Qantas B737 Captain and GA enthusiast Warwick Henry has been appointed as Sales Representative for Dean-Wilson Aviation. Now retired as an airline pilot, Warwick’s impressive resume includes employment with Davey Air Services at Deniliquin, Trans-Australia Airlines, Northern Territory Aerial Medical Service, Australian Airlines and Qantas. He has amassed about 21,600 hours in 79 types of aircraft ranging from the Airbus A300, B737-300, -400 and -800 down to the ultralight Drifter and his own Cessna 182P. Warwick’s role will be to promote and demonstrate the Boomerang during a series of planned sales flights to destinations throughout Australia. His long association with the aviation industry combined with his comprehensive knowledge of the requirements of a training aircraft is sure to produce quality results.
A break in the unseasonal weather allowed an air-to-air photo sortie to take place on Monday 15th October over the beautiful Gold Coast region. Tom Allibone captured a series of images of DWA Sales Rep, Captain Warwick Henry masterfully flying the Boomerang in close formation with the Cessna 172 camera ship flown by Gold Coast Airport based Wings Academy senior flying instructor, Nathan James. The results are to be found in the Photo Gallery and will appear in all national and international magazines during the coming months.

Negotiations are now well advanced with Geosim, established creators of a wide range of sophisticated rotary and fixed wing simulators for use in pilot training environments. With materials and logistics support provided by DWA, Geosim is to build type specific simulators to accompany sales of Boomerang aircraft to flying school operators, thereby providing an holistic answer to the production of private and commercial pilots.
Whitney Boomerang Enters Production
Production aircraft No.1 rolled off the line at an official engagement held at Dean-Wilson Aviation's manufacturing plant at Kingaroy Airport on Friday 14th September, before a large audience which included the Hon Bruce Scott MP; Federal Member for Maranoa, Kingaroy Shire Council Mayor Roger Nunn and his CEO John Kersnovski, Cr Keith Campbell, Dorothy Pratt; Member for Nanango, and other dignitaries and shareholders. During his speech, Dean-Wilson Chairman Steve Wilson thanked his entire team of production staff for the immense effort they has contributed to ensure that the Boomerang would become the success it has, and acknowledged also, the part played by AusIndustry in the grant provided to support the project. Mayor Roger Nunn spoke of the value and success of companies establishing themselves in rural environments, using Kingaroy as an excellent example of how it has attracted aviation related industries to it's region, including UAV's. Bruce Scott, MP underscored the benefits and potential of aviation companies choosing regional centres to establish their enterprises, and congratulated Dean-Wilson Aviation for its achievements in bringing an idea into reality, presenting Dean-Wilson with an AusIndustry Award signed by the Hon. Ian MacFarlane, Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resource, in recognition of the company's commitment to business excellence and in particular, innovation in developing the Whitney Boomerang aircraft enabling the GA market access to a 2 seat training aircraft. Following the official launch, Steve Wilson took the Minister for a flight in the Boomerang, re-igniting Bruce Scott's passion for light aircraft flying as a former PPL holder.
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| Gary Dean & Steve Wilson with AusIndustry Award |
Hon Bruce Scott MP |
Steve Wilson address audience |
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| Bruce Scott & Steve Wilson prepare for flight |
Boomerang taxies for official launch flight |
Dean-Wilson Aviation was the subject of ABC television's much acclaimed documentary series "Australian Story" screened on Monday 1 October, following several weeks of film shooting and interviews with key members of the organisation, each telling their story of the struggles, sacrifices and successes achieved during the development and production of the Whitney Boomerang. The programme was extremely well received throughout the entire country, with sincere messages of congratulations coming from every facet of industry, commerce, the general public and the political corridors. The level of interest in the Boomerang has, as a result, been elevated significantly, and with certification now only days away, the aircraft's prospect of success has been underscored.
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September 2007
On Friday 14th September at 2pm the official launch of the first production Whitney Boomerang training aircraft will take place in front of a large audience of invited guests including representatives of Federal Minister Ian MacFarlane’s office, along with AusIndustry Assistant State Manager Michael McGee and members of the press and media. This is a unique occasion given that it is the first fully certified 2 seat trainer in the world to be subjected to the new CASA crash test requirements. As a result it is now claimed to be the safest training aircraft in the world. It is also understood that the Boomerang is only the fourth FAR 23 certified aircraft to reach production in Australia’s history.
AusIndustry is the Australian Government's business program delivery division and delivers a range of more than 35 programs - including innovation grants, tax and duty concessions and industry support worth about $2 billion every year. Commercial Ready is a competitive merit-based grant program supporting innovation and its commercialisation. A wide range of project activities can be supported, extending from initial research and development (R&D), through proof of concept, to early-stage commercialisation activities. Dean-Wilson Aviation has qualified and received substantial financial aid through the Commercial Ready scheme to assist with its production and expansion plans for the Boomerang aircraft.
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July 2007
Two significant orders from newly formed flying schools in India will see at least 15 Boomerangs heading for
the Sub-Continent during the next fifteen months, with further orders anticipated. Minister for State
Development John Mickel congratulated the company on its recent successes. “This is a great coup for Dean
Wilson Aviation and for Queensland,” he said. “Given flying schools throughout the world are now racing to
meet the predicted growing demand for pilots over the next decade we hope this will be the start of a long
list of international contracts for the company,” he said. Mr Mickel said the State Government had provided
financial assistance to the company through its Regional Business Development Scheme. “We could see the
benefit in assisting the company develop this unique training aircraft not only in terms of the dollars and
new jobs it would bring into the region but also in terms of raising the national and international profile
of the Wide Bay Burnett as a significant regional aviation hub,” Mr Mickel said. |
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The Whitney Boomerang will be on display at the Wide Bay Airshow being held at Bundaberg from Friday 3rd to
Sunday 5th August. The aircraft will be flown on the Saturday and Sunday as part of the air display.
Representatives of Dean-Wilson Aviation; manufacturers of the Boomerang will be on the stand ready to
discuss the merits and future of the aircraft.
With Number 2 and 3 now closely following, production aircraft number 1 is set to roll off the line in mid
August, in readiness for the aircraft to receive type certification at the end of the month. Embracing a few
minor modifications over the prototype, newly registered VH-FKT will be placed on-line with a new flying
school operating at Archerfield Airport for assessment purposes. Numbers 2 and 3 and subsequent aircraft are
destined to fulfill orders for WA and India.
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April 2007
Boomerang flies at Avalon 2007
Just two years after its first appearance as a static display at Avalon 05, the Whitney Boomerang flew in front of large crowds gathered on each of the Trade Days at Avalon 07, the aircraft skilfully piloted by Dean-Wilson Aviation Chairman, Steve Wilson. The display captured the interest of many who were impressed to see the aircraft in the air for the first time, which resulted in further serious enquiries about purchase of the Boomerang. An example of the cockpit cage was also on display which drew much interest from on-lookers seeking assurance about strength and safety in a training environment. |
 
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January 2007
Confirmed sales
DWAviation is proud to announce that it has confirmed sales for two Australian training centres. Production of the first ten aircraft is now underway.
Load Test
Another step towards Certification was reached on Thursday 18th January when the Boomerang was subjected to structural wing load testing in excess of 4 tonnes. The aircraft passed without any problems, as did the tailplane, making the Whitney Boomerang the first training aircraft to become compliant with new CASA and FAA regulations. The fuselage will also be subjected to a new safety testing regulation when it will be crash tested to 12g, making it the first aircraft in the world to be tested in this manner. The Designers are confident that the strongly designed cockpit cage will withstand the rigours of the tests. |
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Fabrication
Fabrication of new parts has excelled rapidly, here are some examples of parts fabricated by DWAviation |
 
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October 2006
Latest Factory Additions |

Above: The new Spray Booth. Right: Welding Bay Curtains.
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September 2006
Avalon 2007
The Whitney Boomerangs will be on display at Avalon 2007, and the principals of Dean Wilson Aviation Ltd will be on hand to discuss the aircraft. Please call in to our stand and view this amazing new aircraft. |

Above: The Whitney Boomerang. Right: DWA Pty Ltd's Steve Wilson & Gary Dean. |
Official Opening of the Kingaroy Production Facility
The New 1100m2 Production Facility was officially opened by Hon. Warren Truss MHR Minister for Transport & Regional Services on September 2nd 2006. |
 
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July 2006
The Boomerang's First Flight
The Whitney Boomerang took to the air for the first time on Thursday 6th July 2006, at Kingaroy Airport, in the very capable hands of Pete Budd who reported that apart from an easily resolved C of G issue, the aircraft performed well. The Boomerang flew three more times that day as part of its assessment which precedes the extensive test flying program that the aircraft will be put through prior to production. Click each picture to view a larger version. |
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