Airvan becomes most made Australian plane

The GippsAERO GA8 Airvan has become the most produced Australian-made aircraft, according to the company. (GippsAERO)

The GA8 Airvan has set a new record as the most produced Australian-made civil type certificated aircraft, manufacturer GippsAERO says.

The 175^th Airvan recently rolled off the assembly line at GippsAERO’s facility in Morwell, Victoria, breaking a record previously held by the N24 Nomad.

The first production GA8 was delivered to Fraser Island Air in December 2000 and the aircraft is now flying in 34 countries, according to the company. The 175^th Airvan is destined for the US, where it will serve as a demonstrator.

GippsAERO, a subsidiary of Indian company Mahindra Aerospace, also holds the type certificate for the Nomad, which was originally designed and manufactured by the Government Aircraft Factories, and plans to place an updated version of the twin-turboprop back into production as the GA18.