Australian Aircraft Manufacurer Gippsland Aeronautics announced today that both the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) the European Aviation Safety Agency (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 with a very low noise foot print.

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 less than 150 Airvans have been manufactured at the company's Latrobe Regional Airport base east of Melbourne in Victoria. Close to one hundred Airvans have been exported, including sixteen for the USAF Auxiliary, the Civil Air Patrol, for use in Homeland Security and search and rescue missions. World wide the Airvan is operated for a diverse range of uses including humanitarian aid, passenger and freight hauling, sightseeing, surveillance and bush fire reconnaisence missions.

The Airvan features a large cabin, an impressive payload and very docile handling characteristics. The Airvan is certificated to FAR 23 at Amendment 55, which means that the Airvan incorporates safety features not seen in aircraft designed to earlier standards. Airvan operating costs are very low due to the use of simple, robust, systems with easy access resulting in low maintenance requirements. The new GA8-TC 320 is a significant addition to Gippsland Aeronautics product line. Not content to rest on their laurels Gippsland have further projects in the pipe line including a new 10 seat turbo prop utility aircraft, the GA10, and plans to return the the sixteen passenger twin turboprop engine N24 to manufacture.