Turbocharged Airvan gets offshore approvals

Australian Aircraft Manufacurer Gippsland Aeronautics announced today that the both the US FAA and the European EASA have certificated the new turbocharged GA8-TC 320 Airvan.

The GA8-TC 320 is powered by a turbocharged Lycoming TIO-540-AH1A rated to 320 horsepower at 40 inches of manifold pressure at 2500 rpm from sea level to 5000 feet.

Above 5000 feet the TIO-540-AH1A is rated to maintain 300 horsepower at 38 inches of manifold pressure at 2500 rpm.

The GA8-TC 320 features a Hartzell 80 inch diameter, scimitar design three-blade propeller. The turbocharged engine enhances the performance of the already extremely versatile Airvan with improved climbing and high altitude performance.

Several  GA8-TC 320 Airvans have been delivered to customers in Australia, the southern Alps of New Zealand, the mountainous high lands of Papua New Guinea and one is already in Europe where it will shortly be registered in France to skydive operator ChuteXtrem.

Deliveries to North American customers will  begin in early 2010.

Gippsland Aeronautics delivered its first production GA8 Airvan in December 2000 and was awarded an FAA type certificate in 2003 followed by EASA certification in 2005.

No fewer than 150 Airvans have been manufactured at the company’s Latrobe Regional Airport base east of Melbourne.

Nearly one hundred Airvans have been exported, including 16 for the USAF Auxiliary, the Civil Air Patrol, for use in Homeland Security and search and rescue missions.