Gippsaero GA-8 Airvan
The GippsAero GA8 Airvan is an eight-seat, single-engine utility aircraft from Victoria, Australia, first flown in 1995 and built around a boxy, high-lift airframe designed for rough remote airstrips rather than speed or comfort. Its wide, unobstructed cabin and large door made it an immediate favourite with skydiving operators worldwide, who value its ability to climb quickly with a full load of jumpers. After Indian conglomerate Mahindra acquired GippsAero, the type was briefly rebranded the Mahindra Airvan 8. More than 260 have been built since 2000, and it remains in active production today, serving utility, survey and parachute operators globally.
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Did you know?
Recognise the Airvan by its boxy high-wing cabin and huge cargo door — a utility aircraft built for rough remote strips and famously used by skydiving operators.
Specifications
| Length | 9 m (30 ft) |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 12.3 m (40 ft) |
| Height | 3.9 m (13 ft) |
| Persons on board | 8 |
| Maximum take-off weight | 1.9 t |
| Range | 650 NM (1,204 km) |
| Service ceiling | 20,000 ft (6,096 m) |
| Optimum ceiling | 16,000 ft (4,877 m) |
| Rate of climb | 790 ft/min (4 m/s) |
| Take-off distance | 550 m (1,804 ft) |
| Landing distance | 370 m (1,214 ft) |
| Fuel capacity | 340 l |
Curated by CatchFlights from manufacturer documents, ICAO Doc 8643 and reference works; values are left out where no source could confirm them. Sources are listed on our credits page.
In CatchFlights
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