Gippsland GA-8 Airvan
- CountryAustralia
- TypeEight seat utility light aircraft
- PowerplantsOne 225kW (300hp) Textron Lycoming IO-540-KA5 fuel injected flat six driving a three blade constant speed propeller.
- PerformanceMax cruising speed 240km/h (130kt), economical cruising speed 222km/h (120kt). Initial rate of climb 750ft/min. Service ceiling 20,000ft. Range with max fuel 1205km (650nm), range with max payload 185km (100nm).
- WeightsEmpty 862kg (1900lb), max takeoff 1815kg (4000lb).
- DimentionsWing span 12.37m (40ft 7in), length 8.79m (28ft 10in), height 2.82m (9ft 3in). Wing area 19.3m2 (208.0sq ft).
- CapacitySingle pilot and passenger side-by-side with up to six passengers in the main cabin behind them. Main cabin can also configured to carry freight.
- ProductionSix deliveries expected in 1999. Planned annual production rate of 150 from 2001.
The GA-8 Airvan is the second all new flying machine plan from Australian maker Gippsland Aeronautics, and has been planned as an utility transport to supplant the prominent Cessna 206/207 arrangement and others, for example, the de Havilland Canada Beaver.
Outline chip away at the Airvan started in ahead of schedule 1994 and model development initiated before long. This model flew shockingly on March 3 1995 and freely showed up at the Australian International Airshow and Aerospace Expo at Avalon later that month in the wake of having finished only eight flying hours.
Around then Gippsland Aeronautics foreseen that the Airvan could be certificated inside 12 months, all being admirably. Tragically the model in this manner slammed amid turning trials in February 1996, pushing back sort of the arranged affirmation and passage into administration dates.
The model Airvan was controlled by a 185kw (250hp) Textron Lycoming O-540 driving a two razor sharp edge propeller. A second model flew in August 1996, controlled by a 225kw (300hp) IO-540. This was to be supplanted with a 225kw (300hp) IO-580 however generation air ship will have an IO-540-K as itemized previously.
Other Airvan outline gimmick incorporate its high mounted two fight wing which is focused around the unit on the GA-200 ag flying machine, the square sided extensive volume fuselage with a vast sliding cargo entryway on the port side, and altered arriving rigging intended for harsh field operations. Wiplane buoys will be offered as choices.
To start with client conveyances are anticipated 1999 after Australian and US FAA affirmation. The Airvan ought to turn out to be a distinctly evaluated contender to Cessna's new generation 206h, which is relied upon to cost more and is somewhat littler (seating six instead of eight). Gippsland Aeronautics likewise sees the Airvan as a commendable substitution for maturing 206/207s and DHC Beavers which have needed to officer on in administration because of the absence of a suitable, financially savvy substitution sort.
Pictures of Gippsland GA-8 Airvan
