Gippsland Aeronautics has secured European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) type certification for its GA8 Airvan and is in negotiation with a German company for a “substantial order”. The success comes as the Australian manufacturer is progressing with developments of the twin-piston utility aircraft.
EASA certification was awarded last week and adds 25 countries to the list of those that accept the Airvan. European certification required new propellers to meet noise requirements.
Meanwhile, flight tests of the new turbocharged Airvan are well advanced. The aircraft has a Lycoming TIO- 540 engine, a turbocharged version of the powerplant on the standard Airvan.
Gippsland has shipped the last of an order for 16 Airvans to the US Civil Air Patrol. One has been delivered to Papua New Guinea, and another to the Mission Aviation Fellowship, in Aceh, Sumatra as part of the post-tsunami rebuilding effort.
Source: Flight International
