Time Period: Post-WW2
Country of Origin: Australia
Type: General Purpose Aircraft
Manufacturer: GippsAero
GippsAero GA8 Airvan Aircraft Overview
The GippsAero GA8 Airvan is a utility aircraft designed and manufactured by GippsAero, an Australian aerospace company. It is a single-engine, high-wing aircraft primarily used for various purposes, including passenger and cargo transport, aerial surveying, skydiving operations, and medical evacuation.
The GA8 Airvan is known for its robust construction, spacious cabin, and short takeoff and landing capabilities. It features a large sliding door on the right side of the aircraft, which facilitates easy loading and unloading of passengers or cargo. The Airvan can accommodate up to eight passengers or a combination of passengers and cargo.
The aircraft is powered by a single Lycoming IO-540-K1A5 engine, which provides ample power for both normal operations and short-field performance. It has a fixed tricycle landing gear arrangement and is capable of operating from unprepared or semi-prepared airstrips.
The GA8 Airvan has gained popularity in various industries, particularly in remote and regional areas, where its versatility and ruggedness are well-suited for transportation needs. It has been used in a wide range of applications worldwide, including tourism, regional airline operations, humanitarian missions, and government agencies.
GippsAero GA8 Airvan Specifications
- Crew: 1 pilot
- Passenger Capacity: Up to 7 passengers
- Length: 8.95 meters (29 feet 4 inches)
- Wingspan: 12.28 meters (40 feet 3 inches)
- Height: 3.89 meters (12 feet 9 inches)
- Wing Area: 19.32 square meters (208.0 square feet)
- Aspect Ratio: 7.9:1
- Empty Weight: 997 kilograms (2,198 pounds)
- Maximum Takeoff Weight: 1,814 kilograms (3,999 pounds)
- Fuel Capacity: 340 liters (74.8 Imperial gallons)
- Engine: Textron Lycoming IO-540-K1A5, a 220 kW (300 hp) air-cooled flat-six engine
- Propeller: 2-bladed Hartzell F8475R constant-speed propeller
GippsAero GA8 Airvan Performance
- Maximum Speed: 241 km/h (150 mph, 130 knots) at 1,525 meters (5,000 feet)
- Cruise Speed: 222 km/h (138 mph, 120 knots) at 3,050 meters (10,000 feet)
- Stall Speed: 97 km/h (60 mph, 52 knots) with flaps deployed
- Range: 1,352 kilometers (840 miles, 730 nautical miles)
- Endurance: Up to six hours
- Service Ceiling: 6,100 meters (20,000 feet)
- Climb Rate: 4.00 meters per second (788 feet per minute)