Gippsland GA8
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| GA8 Airvan | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Type | Utilitarian aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Gippsland Aeronautics |
| Designed by | Gippsland Aeronautics |
| Maiden flight | 1996 |
| Primary user | United States Civil Air Patrol (17 Airframes). |
| Produced | 2000–present |
The Gippsland GA8 or Airvan is a single-engined utilitarian aircraft manufactured by Gippsland Aeronautics of Victoria, Australia. It can seat eight including one pilot.
The aircraft was intended by Gippsland Aeronautics to fill the gap left by Cessna between its 206 and Caravan models. It is used in various roles and is well suited to short haul scheduled and non-scheduled passenger services such as sightseeing. It is used very successfully for parachuting and for carriage of freight and even for search and rescue.
More than 100 Airvans have been produced and delivered as of March 2007.
A float package for the aircraft has been envisioned by the manufacturer but has been held awaiting certification of a turbocharged engine with additional horsepower.
A turbocharged version of the aircraft has been planned since 2004.
The 'GA' October 2006 newsletter has announced that "the turbocharged prototype aircraft has commenced flight testing. The chosen engine is the Lycoming TIO 540 AH1A engine, which is a turbocharged version of the currently installed normally aspirated engine."
[edit] Specifications and Performance
- Engine Lycoming I0-540-K1A5
- Length: 8.9m (29'4")
- Width: 12.4m (40'9")
- Height: 3.9m (12'9")
- Wheel Track: 2.8m (9'2")
- Cabin Floor Area: 54 ft2
- Cabin Internal Volume: 180 ft3
- Useable Fuel Capacity (Wings): 332 l (87.7 USG)
- Empty Weight: 997 kg (2200 lb)
- Certified T.O.W.: 1814 kg (4000 lb)
- Vne (never exceed speed): 185 KIAS
- Normal Cruise @ 4000': 118 KTAS @ 56 l/hr (14.8 USG/hr)
- Normal Range: 730nm (6hr)
- Economic Cruise @ 8000': 104 KTAS @ 37 l/hr (9.8 USG/hr)
- Maximum Range: 930nm (9hr)
- Takeoff Performance Distance to 50ft: @ 2700 RPM - 487m (1548 ft)
- Landing Performance from 50ft: 371m (1218 ft)
- Rate of Climb: 787 ft/min (ISA Sea Level)
[edit] Operators
The United States Civil Air Patrol use 17 Airvans in Search and Rescue operations.
[edit] External links
Timeline of aviation
Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines
Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft
Notable military accidents and incidents · Notable airline accidents and incidents · Famous aviation-related deaths
Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft
