GippsAero, the Australian aircraft maker, said it has successfully completed the first flight of its new turboprop single, the GA10. Powered by a Rolls-Royce 250 turboprop engine, this latest model from GippsAero is a 10-seat multirole airplane based on the piston-powered GA8 Airvan utility airplane.
The first flight took place at GippsAero’s home base at Latrobe Regional Airport in eastern Victoria earlier this month. The GA10 fits a niche that will suit a wide range of applications from passenger and freight work to air survey and surveillance roles. Type approval of the airplane is planned for next year.
The GA10’s maiden flight on May 1 went as planned, according to Gerhard Jordaan, engineering project manager at GippsAero. “The first flight was a great success, as it showed that the GA10 retained the inherent stability and docile flying qualities of the successful GA8.”
For a full story on GippsAero and the GA8 Airvan, be sure to check out the July issue of Flying.
