Market For Twin-Turboprop Could Surpass 400 Units

Boeing subsidiary Boeing Australia Limited sold certification authority this week for the twin-turboprop Nomad aircraft to Australia-based general aviation manufacturer Gippsland Aeronautics.

The sale includes technical and spares sales support and all intellectual property for the Nomad aircraft worldwide. Financial terms are not being disclosed.

"The Nomad has a bright future," said David Withers, president of Boeing Australia Limited. "We're delighted with Gippsland's plan to continue providing outstanding support to existing customers while greatly expanding the market for this remarkably versatile, Australian-designed aircraft."

The Hon. Greg Combet MP, the Commonwealth of Australia Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement, said the government has supported the Nomad program since its beginnings.

"Our desire for the Nomad type certificate to remain in Australia has been fully realized through this sale to Gippsland Aeronautics," Combet said.

Gippsland Aeronautics Chairman Gary Wight said Gippsland is pleased to be part of the Nomad's future. "We're committed to continuing the high standard of support Boeing has delivered to existing Nomad operators around the world," he said.

Wight added Gippsland was looking forward to possibly presenting the aircraft to the world market as the Next-Generation Nomad. "The versatile Nomad will complement Gippsland's rugged GA8 Airvan multirole utility aircraft," he said.

Global demand for the Nomad could exceed 400 aircraft in the next 10 years, according to independent research carried out by Australian firm Connell Wagner and Asia Pacific Air Services on Gippsland's behalf.

The Australian Government Aircraft Factory, later renamed Aerospace Technologies of Australia Ltd. (ASTA), designed the Nomad in 1965. The first prototype flew in 1971, and production concluded in 1984. Fifty-four Nomads remain operational worldwide.

Boeing Australia Limited acquired the Nomad type certificate in 1996 after The Boeing Company purchased the Rockwell group of businesses, including ASTA. Boeing maintained ASTA's close working relationship with the Commonwealth to support and maintain the aircraft's regulatory type requirements.

FMI: www.boeing.com.au, www.gippsaero.com