Gold Coast business Ryan Aerospace secures deal to provide helicopters and flight simulators to United States Air Force

A Gold Coast business beat out international competitors to ink a deal with the US Air Force. Here’s what’s involved.

A GOLD Coast business beat out international competitors to ink a deal with the US Air Force to provide almost 300 helicopters and fighter jet simulators.

The dollar figure of the contract has been kept under wraps.

Ryan Aerospace managing director Chris Ryan turned his side hustle of building helicopter simulators into a full time gig in 2012.

Ryan Aerospace managing director Chris Ryan. Picture: Melanie Whiting

“Going from a council worker to installing helicopter simulators at the Royal Airforce in England was a pretty big challenge for me,” Mr Ryan said.

His passion for the industry began when he was a fixed wing recreational pilot who dreamt of flying helicopters.

“When I did a helicopter lesson and found out how hard it was to fly, I said to my instructor, ‘is there a simulator that can teach me these motor skills to teach me how to fly? Because at $550 bucks an hour I can only afford one lesson a year’,” Mr Ryan said.

“My instructor said ‘I don’t think there is a simulator for helicopters at that low cost – someone should invent that’.”

And that’s exactly what Mr Ryan did.

The entrepreneur decided to set up his business on the Gold Coast after visiting for a holiday.

The federal government provided support to the Nerang firm through a range of funding programs.

Ryan Aerospace chief assembler Sarah Jackson, managing director Chris Ryan and technician Samson Kassis. Picture: Melanie Whiting

Defence Minister Peter Dutton congratulated the business on their successful bid.

“This is another example of the way the defence industry in Queensland, and across Australia, is showcasing Australian innovation and ingenuity on the world stage,” Mr Dutton said.

Moncrieff MP Angie Bell said she was proud to see local businesses make a global impact.

“The Gold Coast is where Australians come to make their dreams a reality, it is a testament to the Gold Coast entrepreneurial spirit,” Ms Bell said.

Defence Minister Peter Dutton and Moncrieff MP Angie Bell congratulated Ryan Aerospace on its success. Picture: Andrew Harnik/Pool/AFP

“(The city) is full of businesses like Ryan Aerospace in a multitude of traditional and emerging industries from manufacturing to tech start-ups and space rockets, all making a mark around the globe from right here on the Gold Coast.”

The business has delivered about 180 of the simulators already and is on track to finish the order in early 2022.

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