Gippsland Aero
 

Heard someone mention that Gippsland Aerospace, the Australian maker of the GA8 Airvan planes has gone out of business. Searched the web (as well as Pprune) and checked the company's website; nothing about their going out of business.

In fact, I saw pictures of a GA8 Airvan on display at the AOPA Summit recently held in Long Beach, California.

I fly the GA-8 for the US Civil Air Patrol and was curious. Kind of a quirky but lovable plane. Not big on creature comforts but a good load hauler for a plane in its class.

Anyone know the story here ?? Thanks ..

you'll find that gippsland aero is now owned and i believe called Manhindra (sp.) Aerospace

Cessna would love you to believe that :cool:

Don't be stressed mate, the Gippy Aero will be around for a while yet whilst Mahindra is involved. Mahindra are an extremely large Indian manufacturing organisation with arms into many different technology areas.

There was a whole other thread on this a while back.

So it's all good :ok:

GG, shows what i know :) and I was down their way only 3 weeks ago :}

Yep its owned by Mahindra Aviation Group.....same Indian based manufacturer of cars, steel etc etc. Very large and capitalised company who reckon they will give the ozzie aviation industry some "curry"!!

Are they still plan to rebuild the Nomad? :O

nomad they could not sell them last time who would buy an old design that did not sell before time to move on.

Supposedly they have had a few letters of intent to order. I believe Grant Kenny Aviation was on that list but this was back in 08' so might not be so valid anymore.

Australian Flying: GippsAero buys Nomad for GA18 program

Based on the N24A Nomad, the GA18 will be re-engineered with upgraded engines, new propellers, glass cockpit, weight-saving measures, reduced maintenance requirements and aerodynamic refinements. A GippsAero spokesman told Australian Flying that its engineering team is on schedule to release details of the approved configuration of the GA18 – including engines, props and avionics to be used, and other improvements and refinements – at the end of September.

I dont understand the GA10.
You have the C208A which is in the same class. Or the C208B which takes another 3.
OR you have the PAC750 which takes 9 with STOL and still cruises at 150kts.

Its putting itself into a market that already has 2 very good and proven examples flying.

The GA18 is putting itself up against the twotter... enough said with that one.

MY gut feeling is they will move production to India and halve the costs and then undercut anybody else in the market

Try buying a new one of those for 1.3mil!

When Mahindra first took over, they were flapping their gums about the companies commitment to leaving GA where it is, doing what it does. A whole bunch was said about the Reputation GA had built for itself, and that they didn't want to do anything detrimental to that image.

Would moving production to india harm that reputation?

IMO, yes.


As for the nomad, wasn't there some mob (Canada I think) that were talking about re-engineering and producing Turbine Caribous?????


Jas

When I think of the cost of a brand new PT6 and then think of how much is left over to build the rest of the aircraft... Throw in the cost of the avionics, it does make me shudder if they will still be making a profit.

We took 2 brand new Airvans last year. Both machines did around 1000hrs. Basically anything cosmetic on them has fallen off. It was just all glued on. I think the build quality is already shoddy enough before they start pawning them off to India.

Dont get me wrong, I think the plane is a great plane, but thats one of the issues I have with it.

A "turbine caribou" is a DHC5 Buffalo, although a number of DHC4 Caribous have been re-engined with PT6A-67's in lieu of the R2000 radials.

Ive investigated and we have upgraded the glue to withstand hotter climates. 2012 model will bring some improvements and more in the pipeline.

Thanks for the feedback.

Great to hear!!

My biggest problem with them was the lack of power, something like a 360hp engine would have been a dream, that and rudder trim...

Has the prop surging issues been sorted out yet? (left Africa now, so out of the loop)

What about the prop snapping issue too?

Prop snapping!? Do tell.

Knox.