Maiden Flight for Australian Air Survey Plane

GippsAero, the Australian aircraft manufacturer and subsidiary of the Mahindra Group, has successfully completed the first flight of its new aircraft, the GA10. The aircraft, which is the first single turboprop to be designed and developed in Australia, is a 10-seat multi-role aircraft based on the GA8 AIRVAN utility aircraft. The first flight took place at GippsAero’s home base at Latrobe Regional Airport in eastern Victoria on Tuesday 1 May 2012.

The GA10 fits a niche in the market and will suit a wide range of applications from passenger and freight work to air survey and surveillance roles.

Test pilot Tony Morris and GippsAero flight test engineer Gerhard Jordaan were on board the GA10 for this memorable occasion. Once in the air, the GA10 circled the airport several times for approx. 20mins as well as one low approach including a go-around.

With the completion of first flight, the GippsAero engineering team will subject the prototype to an intensive programme of static and flight test to gain a CASA Type Certificate for the GA10. It is anticipated that the new type will be available for customer delivery in the first half of 2013.

The company is also soon to announce details of a deposit programme that will provide an opportunity for operators to secure a purchase position.