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Hamilton Aero Maintenance Ltd
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About Us

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A bit about us

Hamilton Aero was founded by two airline trained engineers. This means we have a strong airline culture in our approach to service, with high standards in safety, reliability and on-time performance. This commitment to safety and quality has never wavered in 30 years. Hamilton Aero is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Menzies Aviation NZ Ltd, however the culture and high standards instilled in the team by the former owners continues to live on.
Directors & Management
Simon Hinman - CEO & Director
Along with the CEO position at Hamilton Aero, Simon is Vice President NZ and Pacific Islands for Menzies Aviation NZ Ltd. Simon has vast experience in the airline world including time with Emirates, Qantas, Freedom Air and Ansett NZ and has been on the Board of Hamilton Aero for a number of years.

Tim O'Neill - Safety & Quality Manager

Scott James L.A.M.E - Engineering Manager

Mike Smith - Planning & Logistics Manager

David Connors - Avionics Manager

Dave actually started with Ham Aero in the Stores division, showed considerable interest in the Avio side of the business and now is a huge asset to HAM Aero in that area with still a long way to go in his career.

Clive Law-Brown - Senior L.A.M.E - Avionics

Clive is trained in radio, electronics maintenance and overhaul. He has 37 years’ experience in engineering and avionics instruction. Clives has vast experience with Aircraft Electrical and Avionics systems, this knowledge and experience make him one of the countries leading Avionics Engineers.

Karl Costello L.A.M.E - Line Maintenance Manager (Airline)

Karl has had a varied career originally starting out in Avionics but moving into Mechanical. He began in Europe for airlines and moved to New Zealand and Air New Zealand. Karl started with HAM Aero in 2015, looking after the NZ Line Maintenance side of the business.

Brent Barnard L.A.M.E - Line Maintenance Manager - Australia

Brent has previously been employed by HAM Aero when he lived in New Zealand. Since leaving NZ he has been employed by John Holland and Virgin Australia. Now he is back with us which is great news. He knows HAM Aero and its values well, so is a great fit for us in Australia.
Hamilton Aero Maintenance Ltd was established in 1984 by Pat MacKenzie, Dave Stewart and Glenn MacKenzie with a vision to set new standards in the aviation service industry. Since then the team of skilled, dedicated staff at HAM Aero have worked hard to achieve that goal. In the early days GA Maintenance and doing all sorts of chores around the Airport, from Fire Fighting to lawn mowing, was the company’s main income. Airline maintenance soon followed. Air NZ, KIWI Air, Freedom, Pacific Blue (now Virgin Australia) and many regional carriers have all used HAM Aero’s skills and “can do” attitude during their operations in Hamilton and at other airports where we supplied services.

In 1991 we took on the ground handling contract for Air New Zealand at Hamilton and subsequently gained Eagle Airways, Air Nelson and Mt Cook’s ground handling. We set up ground handling for Kiwi International Airlines at both Hamilton and Christchurch.

In 1992 HAM Aero joined forces with Clive Law-Brown to create HAM Aero Avionics Ltd to provide a quality Avionics solution at Hamilton Airport and beyond .

HAM Aero was contracted to carry out ‘A’ and ‘B’ checks for Freedom Air’s B737-300’s at Hamilton.
In 1996 HAM Aero set up on Brisbane Airport, Australia to assist Freedom Air and while there gained other ground handling contracts.

HAM Aero provided Origin Pacific Airway’s customer and ramp handling in Hamilton until it ceased operations in 2006.
HAM Aero supplied engineering turnaround support for Air NZ at Mangere for the domestic A320 operation during 2007-2008

HAM Aero  supplied all airport services for Virgin Australia operations into Hamilton including: Ground handling, Baggage, Guest Services/ Check in (these flights were withdrawn in Oct 2012).

HAM Aero also provided Engineering support to the Virgin B737-800s over-night in Hamilton and carried out ETOPS turnaround for Air NZ A320 ops in Rotorua for their Sydney service. We are now doing the same for Virgin in Queenstown with our own CASA Part 145 Certificate.
HAM Aero hold Part 145 certification issued by the New Zealand CAA and has a quality program that covers all aspects of our operation. Along with the local certificate HAM Aero holds a variety of other foreign regulator AMO Certificates.

HAM Aero has a number of commercial operator clients whose aircraft we look after, including several Air Ambulance operators. Corporate jets have made a comeback in NZ over the past few years and HAM Aero now look after a Falcon 50 and Cessna Citation Sovereign. With our new (ex Eagle Air) hangar secured in 2023, HAM Aero has moved out of its original home and stepped up a notch with its new hangar, Stores and Admin facilities.

HAM Aero provide BP fuelling services at Hamilton and Rotorua Airport

Today, the company still provides a comprehensive range of quality aviation services from its Rukuhia, Hamilton, New Zealand base and  Rotorua  Airport. Airline work is  an expanding part of the business and  since 2016 HAM Aero has gained various foreign Part 145 accreditations to carry out Line Maintenance for a number of foreign airlines, principally at Auckland International Airport, but also other international airports such as WLG, CHC, ZQN, BNE, MEL & SYD.
The GA Division has grown significantly. Commercial GA operators are a key part of the business as well as private owners who are looking for those high standards we work to at HAM Aero.
Our client list includes private, commercial and airline customers throughout New Zealand and overseas, from individuals to major airlines and Governments. We are always looking for opportunities to expand our operations, knowledge and capability and work with individuals and organisations who seek Safe, Quality and Cost Effective solutions to their aviation requirements.
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