GippsAero has certified a three-blade propeller installation on the naturally aspirated version of the Airvan GA8. This is the same propeller fitted to the Turbocharged variant, the Airvan GA8 TC-320.

The three-blade propeller offers a significantly lower noise footprint, which is of great benefit when operating in environmentally sensitive areas such as National Parks, Wildlife Reserves or urban airports, as well as providing improved propeller ground clearance.

The new installation meets the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annexe 16 Volume 1 Chapter 10 limit of 88.0 decibels (dBA) with a healthy margin to spare. The three-blade propeller achieves 86.9 bBA at the full power. This allows operators to utilize the increase of available power at 2700 RPM continuously, whereas the two bladed propeller installation is subject to a 2 minutes limitation at these RPM to meet the requirements.

Airservices Australia, Environment and Climate Change Unit, with assistance from GippsAero staff, carried out the testing at Latrobe Regional Airport in eastern Victoria. The noise measurements were conducted in accordance with appropriate ICAO standards for this type of aircraft (propeller aircraft under 8618 kg certified after 17 November 1988)

The three-blade propeller can be retrofitted to all serial numbers of the GA8, in accordance with GippsAero Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2009-62. Compliance with the Service Bulletin is at the owner’s discretion.

For further information please contact the GippsAero Product Support Department.
Tel: +61 (0)3 5172 1200
Fax: +61 (0)3 5172 1201
Email: support@gippsaero.com