Greater Operator Profit
The high wing GA8 Airvan, which gained type certification in December 2000, was specifically designed to fill the gap between the Cessna 206 and the Cessna Caravan.

The Airvan allows operators to increase their profit margins by carrying an extra 2 to 3 people without upgrading to the turbine powered Cessna Caravan.

An operator could purchase approximately five Airvans for the price of one Caravan which translates to transporting forty people instead of ten.

All terrain, All conditions
Developed to handle the gruelling conditions of the Australian landscape, the Airvan is ideal for operators in remote areas faced with rugged terrain and basic conditions.

In particular, the Airvan is capable of operating on short bush airstrips illustrated by its ability to take off to clear a height of 50ft in only 457 metres at a gross weight of 1,814kg or 4,000lbs with a landing distance of 396 metres over the same height.

Short airstrip capability
The Airvan was designed to be a real workhorse and that is just what it is proving to be. One has been operating on Fraser Island, off the Queensland Coast, since January 2001 and is transporting about 70 people a day off the beach. It is doing about 100 hours of flying a month and has required very little maintenance.
In addition, the Airvan has been designed to be maintained in the field and is inexpensive to operate when compared to its competitors it is little wonder this aircraft is so popular.

An Inexpensive People Mover
The GA8 has room for two more passengers than other similar aircraft and the passengers have great visibility through the large windows.

A Versatile and Reliable Freight carrier
The Airvan is a versatile and reliable freight carrier capable of carrying approximately one tonne payload.

Engine	Lycoming I0-540-K1A5
Wing Area	19.3m2 [208 ft2]
Aspect Ratio	8:1
Cabin Floor Area	54 ft2
Cabin Internal Volume	180 ft3
Useable Fuel Capacity (Wings)	332 l (87.7 USG)
Empty Weight	997 kg (2200 lb)
Certified T.O.W.	1814 kg (4000 lb)
Stall Speed (1814 kg-0° Flap)	60KIAS
Stall Speed (1524 kg-38° Flap)	52KIAS
Vne (never exceed speed)	185KIAS
Normal Cruise	121 KIAS @ 14.8 USG/hr
Normal Range	730nm (6hr)
Economic Cruise	104 KIAS @ 9.8 USG/hr
Maximum Range	930nm (9hr)
T/O Distance (1814kg, SL, ISA, 50ft)	550m (1800 ft)
Ldg. Distance (1814kg, SL, ISA, 50ft)	370m (1200 ft)
Rate of Climb	790 ft/min

The GA8 Airvan's ability to operate on short airstrips in basic conditions makes it ideal for tourist operators in remote areas. The Airvan is easy to handle and high wing design and convex front windows provide excellent flight visibility.

The panel layout is uncluttered, easy to read, and the controls and instruments come readily to hand.

The Airvan has been fitted with a new cargo hold which increases the amount of luggage that can be carried. Wider body, greater passenger comfort, separate passenger entry and one window per seat.


The Engineering Department has achieved full Type Certification for the GA8 Airvan to FAR 23 Amendment 54 standard (Normal Category) by the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and has received Type Certificates or Type Acceptance Certificates for the type from the following countries:

"The need to purchase an additional aircraft became necessary as an aircraft was needed for training and to ferry loads of rations into the mountains.

The altitude played a vital factor in the choice as the escarpment at 10.500ft needs to be cleared to reach Mokhotlong (7.200ft), Quacha's Nek (6.700ft) and Katse Airfield (7.000ft).

The Airvan fitted these requirements, and along with its ample space, reputation for being a strong and reliable workhorse, the first Airvan ever bought by the Military, painted in military colours, was delivered to the Lesotho Defence Force in March 2004.

...There are times that flying in the Maluti mountains can be tough and there are two critical periods. During the month of August heavy winds and turbulence are challenging factors due to the rotor effect produced off high mountains. In January and February the effect of heat increases density altitude in excess of 12.000ft. This heavy cloud develops in to huge thunder storms which moves across the mountains and feed the amphitheatre which is the source of the Orange River and its feeder rivers....

...We took the GA8 into Katse, took off with 8 on board with no wind conditions at 11h00 with outside temperature 20 degrees. This was in effect a density altitude of 9.067ft, only 50% of the 1.000 metres runway was used.... "

"The GA8 Airvan is ideal for our tour operations.
Our object is to show people the beauty of the region from the air and the great visibility through the larger than usual windows of the GA-8 Airvan is a major advantage.

It is also able to circle at a low speed, which for a tour operation is another great feature."

"We can take more passengers in the GA8 Airvan than in our other planes and this certainly helps our profit margins."

"The aircraft in a very short period of time has proven to be an invaluable part of our operations. When the aircraft is in for inspection, customers who would normally fly the GA8 and are placed in the Cessna 172 or 207 ask for the Airvan. Compared to the Cessna 208B we operate, as cost comparison of available seat mile is very reasonable."

"Air Ngukurr has a number of Cessna 210 aircraft operating, but we find the GA8 much more practical for us. Both aircraft have the same size engine, but we are able carry two more passengers in the GA8 and an extra 270 kilos of freight."