The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has upgraded the type certificate for Gippsland Aeronautics' GA8 Airvan utility aircraft to the latest Amendment 54 of US FAR 23 regulations.
The move ends two years of work by the Victoria-based manufacturer and clears the way for US Federal Aviation Administration and Transport Canada type approval, says Gippsland.
The Airvan was originally certificated by CASA to Amendment 48 of FAR 23 in October 2000, but sales in the USA now require certification to the latest amendments.
Gippsland says the Airvan is the only aircraft in the world certificated to this standard, which requires the manufacturer to demonstrate higher levels of safety, particularly concerning dynamic structural integrity, cabin fire safety and electrical systems.
The flight testing included a flutter test. Although the Airvan did not need any structural or mechanical changes, it did require interior changes to meet fire resistance requirements, says Marguerite Morgan, sales co-ordinator. The manufacturer also added more detailed information to the aircraft's flight and service manuals.
US certification of the Airvan is expected in "a few months", says Morgan, adding that this will open the door to sales in North America and other countries that acknowledge FAA certification.
The manufacturer's US distributor is holding commitments for 16 for delivery this year. Gippsland is also set to receive an initial order for six Airvans from the US Civil Air Patrol once the aircraft receives US certification.
Gippsland is frustrated the process has taken so long and complains that the playing field is not level, with competitor aircraft such as Cessnas being accepted by Australia certificated to standards dating from as early as the 1950s.
Meanwhile, Gippsland is hopeful of progress towards UK certification following a visit in February to Australia by a UK CAA delegation. The aim of the visit was to assess regulations and certification processes aimed at developing a technical agreement between the UK and Australia whereby the UK CAA recognises CASA's certification of light aircraft and components. A CAA report is expected in the next few weeks leading to an agreement later this year.
Source: Flight International
