National Airways Corporation sells Placo (Pty) Ltd to management | Press Release

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Press Release

Issued by .

April 19, 2016

National Airways Corporation sells Placo (Pty) Ltd to management

National Airways Corporation has announced that it has sold the maintenance business of Placo (Pty) Ltd to the general manager Chris Boshoff, with effect from 1 April 2016.

Placo has been a highly regarded, household name in South African aviation for nearly 70 years. During this time, it has continually provided the aviation community with the complete spectrum of aviation sales and services.

Any company that has successfully operated in the aviation industry for so long knows that you have to adapt and improve with the times. Placo's new owner will ensure that Placo continues to do just that.

Chris saw an opportunity to purchase the maintenance division of Placo (Pty) Ltd from NAC and, as of 1 April, became the owner of the company. The aircraft parts side of the business will continue to be handled by NAC, under NAC parts.

Placo will retain its AMO number, 009, SACAA approval and will continue to service all Piper, Beechcraft and Cessna piston aircraft from its fully equipped hangars at Rand Airport. It will also continue to be the Piper approved maintenance facility audited by NAC who will remain the Piper agents for Africa. Furthermore, being based at Rand Airport, home to many of South Africa's top aerobatic teams, Placo services and maintains a variety of aerobatic aircraft.

All the Placo staff will remain with the company, delivering the same high standard of service for which Placo is known. Carlos Barata will continue as the maintenance manager and Willie van Wyk stays on as chief inspector. Chris Boshoff, in addition to managing and owning Placo maintenance, will continue to run the aircraft sales department, selling pre-owned Piper, Beechcraft and Cessna aircraft. There is no doubt that over the 70-odd years in the business, Placo has built a depth and breadth of aviation expertise, underpinned by reliability, maintainability, endurance and state-of-the-art technology.

NAC wishes Chris and his team the best of luck and looks forward to working with them in the future.