Aircraft Will Be Used Primarily For Surveillance Missions

Following an extensive review of available platforms, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department (SBCSD) has selected the GippsAero-Mahindra Aerospace GA8 Airvan as its next generation ISR mission platform. Replacing its current fleet of Cessna aircraft, the GA8 Airvan’s are being acquired to expand mission capabilities and lower operational costs.

“We operate in desert to mountain topography from sea level (and below) to over 14,000 feet in highly challenging conditions” states Captain Dale Gregory, Flight Department Head. “We required a multi-mission capable, high performance aircraft which can handle the variety of missions and environments in which we operate. The Airvan proved to be the best surveillance platform for the money to address our needs.”

GippsAero, a division of Mahindra Aerospace, has been producing the FAA certified Airvan since 2001. With a highly successful track record of ISR mission utilization by the government of Australia, the Airvan is also in daily service in the United States with a fleet of 16 mission aircraft flown by the USAF Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol and has delivered over 200 Airvan’s world wide.

Wayne Pliss, Chief Fixed Wing Pilot for SBCSD adds, “the Airvan provides outstanding hot and high capabilities, which is imperative in our operational environment. The Airvan is an all-around performer, which made it the easy choice as our next generation surveillance and mission support aircraft.”

(GA8 Airvan pictured in file photo)

FMI: www.ga8airvan.com