GA8 Airvan MTOW
 

Heard a couple of rumours that they are trying to get the MTOW raised from 1814kg to somewhere in the 1900kg range. Is there some truth to this or is it just a rumour that will never occur?

Flick

It'd be a great idea. It's completely overpowered at the moment. A few extra kilos on board for take off would make it a bit easier to handle that well known Airvan performance climb angle…

Airvan MTOW
 

Operating an Airvan at its current MTOW (1814kg) out of 600-800m bush strips with tall trees at either end, has given me a few gray hairs. The extra power is vital in this case.

But yes on any other runway it does a wonderful job as a work horse and could take more weight.

A pilot in PNG took off in an Airvan at what he thought was MTOW (but he forgot to unload 100kg of rice in the pod!), he felt no difference in control or runway used and was thankfully in trim. So a MTOW increase seems feasible...

The problem is when you get close to the MTOW in the van, she ends up with an aft load and you need to put the trim forward of the T/O range to stop her over rotating on T/O.

I can only imagine that an increase in T/O weight will have the two rear seats occupied by Adults rather than kids and compound the problem. Maybe with the pod equipped vans it may be okay if you can get the weight forward.

I often used to think that the rumours of the 150KG dispensation was one started by the operators to push the numbers a tad more than what you would in a similar lighty. We all know the van is very capable at weights higher than 1814kg, i beleive the wing was designed for 2100kg, but i for one would not be interested in a heavy airvan up north on a gusty humid day.

I had heard that Gippsland were seeking a 200lb increase to the Max takeoff weight but not the landing weight. Dont know how much success they've had getting it certified tho.
On another note, does anyone know if the Turbocharged airvan is certified yet? That should make it a much more viable machine i would think!!

Turbo'ed 3 blade van is built as an alternative to a 208 in high elevation areas where the N/A IO540 is out of her depth. I dont think you will see them en mass calling bungles anytime soon:) Now a 10 seat Van with a PT6 upfront....... that would be an interesting combo:)

I wonder if they would finally consider putting a rudder trim function into something with a PT-6 strapped to the front.

As for any mention of the C208, the only thing it has in common with the GA8 is the '8' in the name. Otherwise it's chalk and cheese. ;)

meh, the rudder trim never worried me, get a strong right leg! besides how often do you have to climb high in a van? mainly low level scenic stuff. I never used the rudder trim in the 200 series cessnas either, rudder trim is for assy in a twin!, the pedals are on the floor in a light single are to use, not to rest your feet on!

I have heard this rumour since we got our first Airvan in 2002, we are still waiting.

I had heard the Turbine Version will come with the new Rolls Royce Turbine, which is based on the Allison 250, but with less temperature limitations than the 250-B17 we use on other machines. But the final design will be cemented after they start delivering the Turbocharged GA8.

We take them to 10,000' every day, the rudder trim would be nice!

Just out of interest... Who is operating them in png?

A little birdie told me that the weight increase will come with the Turbo. Can't confirm that, but it does make perfect sense. I think with a turbo you'll find everyone switching to the GA8 for parachuting ops that those that already do will be laughing.

...'Now a 10 seat Van with a PT6 upfront....... that would be an interesting combo:)"


I think the PAC 750XL serves that job pretty well, with not only 10 seats and a PT6 but a phenomonal load capacity and respectable 165kt cruise...not to mention much more comfortable, roomy cabin!!

would you trust the 750xl built by the kiwis :) and the wings look like bob hoover did a 6g pull up from a loop!

MTOW
 

This has been an on going tale with Gippsland Aeronautics. They will tell the customer anything to make a sale and then leave you high and dry....

Many operators will testify to the above!!

Troppo,

MAF currently operate 2 Airvans in PNG. Mostly coastal stuff but they seem happy with its performance and it beats the tired turbo 206's in cruise. A descent turbo-charged engined Airvan would be more suitable for PNG.

As for the PAC750XL - don't knock 'em until you try 'em - now that's a machine that is fitting into PNG really well... :ok:

RoamingEye - anyone who bought an aircraft expecting the MTOW to be increased after purchase is just kidding themselves. In the real world you'd be crazy to do that. If you can't make an Airvan work with the available MTOW then you've got issues.

climbing to 10K in a van would be very painfull indeed. She climbs like a rocket to about 3.5K and after that slips of slowly. I know in the kimberleys the inversion makes you want to get as high as you could, in a 210 i would be up there in a flash, but the ole airvan was a tad out of her depth at altitude. I didnt have the fortitude to take her past about 6.5k on a real bad day!

6.5k won't even have you off the ground at some places here in the highlands and conditions are typically ISA +15 :hmm:

i.e the TIO-540 to counter the lazy IO-540

I had an Airvan AQL to 10,000ft by 15nm YPKU (empty). They are a little slow and bloody hot but still my prefered choice when lugging a heavy load out of places like Emma Gorge, Kachana etc......
The airvan are not even half as good as a C208, never were and never will be. But they do the job for the 6 to 8 seat piston market.
I've been down to the factory in latrine valley. They have a picture at the airport of Old AZD pre slingair days.... Crazy

ummmmmmmmm....... yeah