A Civil Air Patrol Gippsland Aeronautics GA-8 "Airvan" on takeoff during a mission following Hurricane Rita in 2005. (U.S. Air Force photo)

The Gippsland GA8 or Airvan is a single-engined utilitarian aircraft manufactured by Gippsland Aeronautics of Victoria, Australia. It can seat eight including one pilot. ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (2400x1208, 361 KB) Summary HOUSTON -- A Gippsland Aeronautics GA-8 Airvan accelerates down the runway on takeoff. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (2400x1208, 361 KB) Summary HOUSTON -- A Gippsland Aeronautics GA-8 Airvan accelerates down the runway on takeoff. ... Civil Air Patrol seal The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF). ... A Civil Air Patrol Gippsland Aeronautics GA-8 Airvan on takeoff during a mission following Hurricane Rita in 2005. ... Motto: Peace and Prosperity Other Australian states and territories Capital Melbourne Governor HE Mr John Landy Premier Steve Bracks (ALP) Area 237,629 km² (6th)  - Land 227,416 km²  - Water 10,213 km² (4. ...

The aircraft was intended by Gippsland Aeronautics to fill the gap left by Cessna between its 206 and Caravan models. It is used in various roles and is well suited to short haul scheduled and non-scheduled passenger services such as sightseeing. It is used very successfully for parachuting and for carriage of freight and even for search and rescue. Cessna Aircraft Company, located in Wichita, Kansas, is a manufacturer of general aviation aircraft, from small two-seat, single-engine airplanes to business jets. ... The Cessna 205, 206, and 207, known variously as the Skywagon, Super Skywagon, and Stationair is a development of the popular Cessna line of high-wing, single-engine piston aircraft used for general aviation. ... The Cessna 208 Caravan is a single turboprop short-haul regional airliner and utility aircraft built in the USA by Cessna. ...

More than 100 Airvans have been produced as of August 2006.

A float package for the aircraft has been envisioned by the manufacturer but has been held awaiting certification of a turbocharged engine with additional horsepower. A turbocharged version of the aircraft has been planned since 2004. The Gippsland October 2006 newsletter has announced that "the turbocharged prototype aircraft has commenced flight testing. The chosen engine is the Lycoming TIO 540 AH1A engine, which is a turbocharged version of the currently installed normally aspirated engine." A DeHavilland Single Otter floatplane in Harbour Air livery A seaplane is an aircraft designed to take off and land on water. ... Turbocharger Cut-away A turbocharger is a device used in internal-combustion engines to increase the power output of the engine by increasing the mass of oxygen and fuel entering the engine. ...

Specifications and Performance

• Span: 12.37 m (40 ft 7 in)
• Length: 8.79 m (28 ft 10 in)
• Height: height 2.82 m (9 ft 3 in)
• Weight: 1815 kg (4000 lb). maximum
• Engine: Textron Lycoming IO-540-KA5 - 225 kW (300 hp)

• Maximum speed: 240 km/h (130kt)
• Cruising speed: 222 km/h (120kt)
• Range: 1205 km (650 nm)
• Service Ceiling: 7,100 m (20,000 ft)