Australian Nomad twin turboprop in production again?

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DATE:04/03/10

SOURCE:Flight International

Gippsland sold to Indian automotive and IT company

By Emma Kelly

The acquisition of a majority stake in Australian general aviation manufacturer Gippsland Aeronautics by Indian automotive and information technology group Mahindra and Mahindra is expected to close shortly.

The acquisition will allow Victorian company Gippsland to restart production of the Nomad twin-turboprop, high-wing, short-field take-off and landing aircraft, which it has renamed the Airvan GA18.

Mahindra announced late in 2009 that it planned to purchase majority stakes in Gippsland and aircraft component and assemblies company Aerostaff Australia in a Rp1.75 billion ($38 million) deal. Mahindra, which is best known for utility vehicle and tractor manufacture, is jointly developing the NM5 general aviation aircraft with India's National Aeronautics Laboratory. Gippsland's product portfolio, which primarily comprises the GA8 Airvan, complements the NM5, says Mahindra.

The investment from Mahindra will cover the GA18 programme, says sales manager Marguerite Morgan. Gippsland is proposing an upgraded version of the 18-seat Nomad, featuring new engines, propellers, a glass cockpit and weight-saving measures including new batteries.

Gippsland purchased the certificate of type for the Nomad from Boeing Australia in June 2008, but the programme has slipped by six months, says Morgan, with a production aircraft now expected to be ready by the end of 2011 or early 2012.

The manufacturer has letters of intent for nine aircraft, plus expressions of interest, with considerable international attention shown at the recent Singapore air show, says Morgan.