The Federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services The Hon Warren Truss MHR officially rolled out Gippsland Aeronautics' GA8 Airvan Number 100 at a ceremony held at Latrobe Regional Airport on Wednesday August 23rd.

The completion of 100 Airvans is considered to be a significant milestone in Australian aircraft manufacturing, as it is understood that only two other manufacturers of civil aircraft have built more than 100 aircraft in the post WWWII era. The others being Victa with 168 Airtourers and the Government Aircraft Factory with 170 Nomad N22 & N24’s.

Gippsland Aeronautics have manufactured 150 aircraft over their two designs being made up of the 100 Airvans and 45 GA200 agricultural delivery aircraft and 5 of the developmental version of the GA200.

In his address Minister Truss congratulated Gippsland Aeronautics on its achievement and acknowledged that it no mean feat to have built 100 Airvans and exported many of these aircraft to locations across the globe. Before unveiling Airvan 100 the Minister presented the company with a Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL) for the Airvan. This is the first MMEL to be issued by CASA to an Australian aircraft manufacturer. The development of the MMEL was a joint effort by CASA, Gippsland Aeronautics and Airvan operators.

Mr. Bruce Byron, Director of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority also addressed the gathering. “As we all know, Australia only has a small aircraft manufacturing industry, so it took a great deal of vision, dedication and plain old elbow grease to make Gippsland Aeronautics the reality it is today. From my previous visits here I know that you pride yourselves on quality, safety and simplicity as keystones to your success.” Mr Byron said.

Mr. George Morgan, a founding Director of Gippsland Aeronautics, responded on behalf of the Company. He thanked the staff, suppliers, contractors and the regulator for their team approach over the years.

Mr. Gary Wight, Chairman Gippsland Aeronautics announced that Airvan 100 has been purchased by Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) Australia for service in Papua New Guinea. Mr Wight presented the keys and the Flight Manual of the aircraft to Mr Russell Stebbins, Chairman of MAF and Mr Bill Harding MAF CEO. MAF currently operate six Airvans in Australia’s Arnhem Land and one each in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

250 invited guests attended the function including Latrobe City Councillors and Officers, Officers from Federal and State Government Departments and Agencies, representatives of suppliers and contractors, operators Gippsland Aero aircraft, many former employees and all current staff.

Gippsland Aeronautics has achieved export sales of the Airvan to eighteen countries around the world and is currently building two Airvans per month.

Marguerite Morgan

Global Sales Manager

Gippsland Aeronautics Pty Ltd

Phone +61 3 5172 1200

E-mail - sales@gippsaero.com