“The trend in aircraft manufacturing has been to make the aircraft smaller and subsequently capable of carrying less payload - the serious aircraft operator is really looking at seat miles per gallon with a modicum of comfort and this is where the Airvan has the advantage,” he said.

"Another trend these days is to make aircraft more complex. In a continent like Africa where the runways are often suspect and expert maintenance is not always available, the Airvan is right at home as it’s been designed to take off and land on very short airstrips as well as to be easily maintained."

Mr Hanly is optimistic about the Airvan’s future in Africa.

“The target market for the Airvan is the growing number of tour operators attracting foreign tourists to the abundant game parks in South Africa as well as the countries to the north. However, the Airvan can fill a great diversity of roles as a people and short-haul freight carrier making it suitable not only for the tourist industry but for police or para-military work, sky-diving, bank note carrying, and fish spotting,” he said.

The first Airvan has already been sold and delivered to Rani Africa where it will earn its keep shuttling holidaymakers to and from a tourist resort on the island of Bazeruto off the coast of Mozambique. Mr Hanly predicts that Rani Africa will soon require another Airvan to service a newly purchased resort to the north, although the next Airvan to be delivered to SA Mooney next month will be used as a full-time demonstration model.

"This will help us to maximise the aircraft’s exposure. There are many people in Africa who are very interested in the Airvan, but they want to see, feel and fly the aircraft first before signing up for an order. All indications tell us that once the Airvan has an established track record in Africa and is accepted by the market, the buying will really start in earnest,” Mr Hanly explained.

For more information visit www.airvan.co.za