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.

The prop has been known to literally snap off half way out. Believe it was more than one aircraft but I await advice from others on how many times it has actually happened.

That would have to have a fairly catastrophic outcome especially if airborne. I'd certainly like to know more. If anyone has info, please share.

Knox.

People....... let's try to keep in mind GA don't (i'm pretty sure) manufacture the props! The props being most likely bought from either McCaculey or Hartzel!

Torsionable Vibration ????

GA10
 

Can I suggest a brand name for you..............nah stuff ya, i will :P

Fusor.

In my industry we use a lot of their products in place of OEM glues. One product in particular, 108B, used to glue dissimilar steels has a break strain of 1500 PSI (better than windscreen Eurethane) and it normally out performs that.


What I love about this thread...SFA. Just another case of aussies bagging aussie products! The same aussies that want to tell the world how good we are............i digress.................

I'm a kiwi :ok:

It is probably Torsional Vibration nothing to do with maintenance, it is the way the rotating elements are set up.

The Great Australian Cringe makes me sick.

I fly a GA 8 in Alaska and it is one of the best airplanes for that place. Good range, gets into small strips, comfortable, quiet, and the best view for the punters of any airplane I have flown in. I did 4 hours last week in the back and was really impressed with the quiet, smooth, comfortable ride. The view all around was superb, and the scenery spectacular.

But to listen to an Aussie (and I am one, but not a basher of my country like so many) the GA 8 is rubbish.

As if things don't break on a Cessna?

Hi there T 28d

The engine and prop are pretty much exactly the same as a cerokee 6 300, so would have the same 'torsional vibration' due to the identical 'set up' of the 'rotating elements'.

Whilst every installation has its own idiosycracies, all the blade seperations that i am aware of had a severe stone damage nick in a similar, clearly critical, area of the blade. Such damage, if left unrectified, is quite likely to alllow progressive propagation of cracking and then, surprise surprise, partial blade separation Some operators seem to get very little stone damage, others more, seemingly independant of the surfaces that they opeate on. Poor operating procedures and lack of attention to prop condition can be bring such issues on.

Whilst the vibration mode of the prop, which is dependant on many
considerations, and varies for different combinations, is a not insignificant
factor, do you honestly believe that the same engine prop configuration, which
has been around for about 40 years now, would have got through certification
and then production and use without someone noticing the props falling off for
no apparent reason?

Hi Brian,

You may not be aware that the Gippsland seats comply with the stringent requirements of FAR23.562 that require dynamic (sled) testing. This takes into account airframe deformation, offset impact, head impact path and impact score, seat belt peak loads and a maximum allowable spinal compression load. Cessna seats do not. Whilst some complain pilots complain about the seat comfort, others are just fine with it, though i believe that the factory is attemping to improve the comfort to increase the 'happy' numbers. On blue water ferry i have done 16 hour legs, single pilot , no AP, and not been too traumatized. Any seat will make you a bit stiff after that length of time.

Anyone that has been involved in an accident in a GA8 seem quite satisfied with the seats, as they have saved several lives so far. Seats from antiquated aircraft designs (cessna 100 series falls into this category) have been known to contribute to occupant injuries in an accident, and even to cause accidents on their own accord.

HD

I totally agree with brian.
I've got over 550hrs in them. As a 23-24yr old, I felt like I was 80 after a hard life of digging ditches and I couldn't feel my ass.
Lack of rudder trim was an issue for me.
And it needed at least another 60hp when at MTOW.
Brakes are worse than useless when heavy braking was required. Your COULD NOT flat spot a airvan tyre.

That being said. Passengers loved them (As long as the flight was less than an hour)
View from the bubble windows was great.
Loading and unloading pax was a breeze and fast turn arounds.
The car seat belts were great for passengers, easy for them to use.
(but the stupid bracket on the top of the seat meant that a change of seats was not easy, nor changing the seat covers if someone threw up on them. Whole seat belt assembly had to come off if I am not mistaken)
Much quieter than other piston counter-parts such as the C206.
Very easy to land & nice light controls.

Harley, do you have red hair? :8

First flight imminent for GippsAero GA10

Just thought I'd add this as I'm surprised it hasn't been mentioned yet!
Interesting little project, should be a good seller if they get it right. Anyone have any ideas if they have orders already?

Given that he works in aviation, if it was red, it is probably grey by now. (no offence intended)

I meant no offense as well, just occured to me who Harley is. ;)

Add Sunburn to the sore arse :ok:

They are a great machine, great for specific tasks and they do it well. They aren't suited for everyone. A great Aussie product.

All good things in Australia are Great. Great Australian Bite, Great Keppel Island and Great Barrier Reef.

The US have their Grand Caravan, MGM Grand and Grand Canyon :ouch:

I've done a "couple" of hours in GA8 and I must admit it is a seriously UGLY plane but very functional and offers a great financial return for any company running them. Its a real work horse that can take a real thrashing and can make it in and out of most strips. However I still love the C206.

Brian Abraham: I take you were providing additional aft trim by pulling back on the yoke with both hands. Empty Airvanitis.

HarleyD: "Anyone that has been involved in an accident in a GA8 seem quite satisfied with the seats".
I was involved in an accident when I attempted an exit from the "van" after a 2 hour sector, this was due to excessive loss of feeling in legs due to FAR23.562 seating requirement. But in all seriousness my hat is off to you doing a 16 hour stint in the "van".

Knox.

Edit: rudder trim!! Please!!

Was very easy/nice to fly but they need to do something about that seat!

Interesting young sherlock...........


Boofa, nice to see someone else agreeing with me on aussies self bashing...i loathe it!. Sure comment on what you don't like, but as we agree, that doesn't make it a dud.

The scarevan (excuse me, i like my nicknames) is enjoying some great success. An operator I spoke to a few years ago was interested, but the lack of turbo option held him back. I'll have to give him a call on his viewpoint now :)


Seat Design. Is this the biggest criticism? Surely this has gotten back to GA and in time they will address it....they'd be dumb not to....progression of a type is reliant on curing 'gripes'.


As for the seats being FAR XXX compliant....booowaaaa! The seats in your mercedes actually exceed the FAR compliance req, and are ten times more comfortable. I also agree, yes the crashna seats are reasonably comfy, i'd rather the more modern supportive design of the GA item.

Comfort however will come with a weight penalty....you know the bit your boss pays for. :ugh:

Neville Nobody

Hair was red looooooong time ago, before ag flying career. Turned white after I strained an airframe. Strained it through a row of gum trees. The tailwheel survived (and the data plate).

HD

jas24zzk seats in the airvan also exceed the FAR requirements - they're rated to 30g allround. Put in a different seat cushion if you don't like the current one.