Australian Manufacturer Builds A 10-Place Utility Airplane

By Chris Batcheller

Finally!  The first time I saw the GippsAERO GA8, the first thing I though was “that airplane needs a turbine!”  GrippsAERO is developing a big brother to the GA8 and has named the project the GA10. GippsAERO and Rolls-Royce signed an agreement Wednesday to supply the Rolls-Royce M250-B17F/2 engine for the GA-10 ten passenger airplane.

GippsAERO is the Australian manufacturer of the GA8 Airvan and is currently developing the GA10.  The company has manufactured in excess of 200 aircraft, which fly in 34 countries around the world including the United States, Australia, Europe, Africa and Asia. 

The GA10 is GrippsAERO’s latest offering to General Aviation. The GA10 is currently in the prototype design phase with certification process to begin in 2012. The current schedule has airplanes entering service 2013. GrippsAERO predict that sales could reach up to 20 aircraft per year in India, Europe and Asia.

GA8 Airvan

The Rolls-Royce M250-B17 engine is manufactured in Indianapolis, is featured in many other general aviation aircraft and military trainers. It also powers many civilian and military helicopters in its turboshaft variant. Its benefits include reduced fuel costs for operators through the use of jet fuel, which is more widely available than avgas.

FMI: www.rolls-royce.com, www.gippsaero.com