Lesotho has become the first of the Southern African Development Economic Community (SADEC) countries to procure one of the new Australian Gippsland Aeronautics GA8 Airvan utility aircraft for its Defence Force. The Airvan is a single engined 8 seat aircraft with a multi role capability and is ideally suited to African conditions.
Major-General Sam Makoro, Chief of Staff of the Lesotho Defence Force and Commander of the Defence Force Air Wing, a veteran pilot with wide experience, personally took delivery of the Airvan from Gippsland Aeronautics South African agent, Airvan Africa, on March 18th.
The Airvan will be used in a combination of tasks in the often-difficult conditions of the "Mountain Kingdom". No African country has more severe winters and flying in the mountains can provide considerable challenges to both pilots and the machines they fly.
Lesotho, although only having less than 1000km of paved road, has 29 airports, many of which are situated at very high elevations with even higher density altitudes. The Airvan's clearly demonstrated ability to operate effectively in high altitudes made the choice of an Airvan very appealing.
The Lesotho Air Wing, which presently operates a compact force of both fixed and rotary wing aircraft, recently sent two of their experienced pilots to Airvan Africa in Port Alfred for training and type conversions.
The Lesotho Defence force Airvan, LDF-54 is the ninth Airvan to be sold in Southern Africa. The other aircraft are located in South Africa, Mozambique and Botswana and are used primarily in the tourist transport role. Patrick Hanly, Managing Directior of Airvan Africa, says of the Airvan "Made in Australia, made for Africa".
For information about this article,
In Australia contact:
Marguerite Morgan
Sales Coordinator
Gippsland Aeronautics
PO Box 881
MORWELL 3840
AUSTRALIA
Tel: 61 3 5172 1200
Fax: 61 3 5172 1201
Email: sales@gippsaero.com
In Africa please contact:
Patrick Hanly
Managing Director
Airvan Africa
PORT ALFRED
SOUTH AFRICA
Tel: + 27 46 624 5332
Fax: + 27 46 624 5245
Email: airvan@border.co.za
Or visit the website: www.airvan.co.za
