| The first of the Australian-designed and built GA8 Airvans to be ordered by the United States Air Force, Civil Air Patrol (CAP), departed July 17 on its delivery flight across the Pacific Ocean to the USA. The Airvan, an eight seat, single engine, high-wing utility aircraft, is built by Gippsland Aeronautics, Australia’s leading manufacturer of commercial aircraft, at their manufacturing base at Latrobe Regional Airport in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley. On arrival in the USA the Airvan will fly to the US Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture 2003 at Oshkosh Wisconsin, where it will form the centre-piece of the CAP display. The annual EAA Air Venture event is recognised as the world’s largest aviation air display. The Airvan captured CAP’s interest during last year’s AirVenture and Gippsland Aeronautics was invited by CAP to participate in aircraft flight evaluation trials. The trials were conducted at Buena Vista Airport in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, with flights also made from Leadville Airport, the highest airport in North America and third highest in the world at an elevation of 9,927 feet. The CAP carried out an extensive flight trials program, including rigorous performance and handling tests with particular emphasis on the slow-speed manoeuvrability necessary for CAP operations. The Airvan met or exceeded all of the CAP mission criteria. CAP personnel were impressed with the large cabin, which will not only provide space for their sophisticated mission equipment but also give them excellent visibility from the Airvan’s large windows. In January 2003, CAP contracted with Gippsland Aeronautics to provide Airvans on an Indefinite Delivery - Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ basis for the next 3 years. Civil Air Patrol has more than 64,000 members throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, working in more than 1,700 CAP units. Members are all volunteers and include both seniors and cadets. CAP owns more than 550 light aircraft, located in strategic locations throughout the nation. CAP operates the world’s largest fleet of general aviation aircraft and flies more than 120,000 hours each year. The CAP Airvan is being flown to the USA by Stephen Death (pronounced Deeth), an experienced ferry pilot with many Pacific Ocean crossings to his credit. Stephen is an agricultural pilot and a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer from Albury NSW. Stephen owns his own Warbird, a T28 Trojan, and is a well known air show performer. Death will follow a route from Latrobe Valley via, Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, Apia (Samoa), Christmas Island, Hilo (Hawaii), Mojave (California), and on to Oshkosh. The longest leg is from Hawaii to California, a distance of 2150 nautical miles (3980 KM), a flying time of 16 to17 hours. The aircraft is fitted with a 1000 litre ferry tank, which gives it a 24-hour endurance. For further details on this release please contact Marguerite Morgan Sales Coordinator Gippsland Aeronautics Phone + 61 (0)3 5172 1200 Email - sales@gippsaero.com |
