Australian light utility aircraft manufacturer Gippsland Aeronautics has received provisional certification for it's GA8 Airvan eight-seat piston powered aircraft, with full Federal Aviation Administration FAR 23 certification now contingent only on proving 26g seating and 18g cargo restraint. The approvals will allow the manufacturer to launch the aircraft on high-utilisation proving operations such as sports parachuting and freight services. Gippsland says final certification is expected within three months.
Airvan's sales and distribution agent, Melbourne-based Ian Bailie, says his company is currently negotiating with general aviation operators in Darwin, with the probability that the Gippsland aircraft would be dry-leased to one or more operators.
The selling price of the single-engined Airvan in Australia will be similar to the ex-factory price of the six-seat Cessna 206, the aircraft's nearest rival.
Purchase commitments are held for the first two production models, initial production is set at one unit a month with a capability to increase assembly numbers to at least 15 to 20 annually.
Gippsland Aeronautics managing director George Morgan says the aircraft has received worldwide interest from countries such as China, New Zealand, South Africa, South America and the USA, giving the company confidence that "we can sell as many as we can build".
Source: Flight International
