Nextgen NOMAD

[Damian N]

Hi all. Was a bit of new around last year when Gippsland took over type certificate from Boeing for the Nomad and plans to relaunch production as a NextGen model. Haven't heard much since. Anyone have any info???

[Peter Agatsiotis]

Heard a few weeks ago that Gippsland have sold the Airvan production system to an Indian company and will use the proceeds of the sale to concentrate on the Nomad.

[Will H]

Here's the latest I could find:

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.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/03/04/338920/gippsland-sold-to-indian-automotive-and-it-company.html

[Peter Agatsiotis]

Cheers Will, thought it was a done deal and production of the Airvan would move to India; have deleted old e-mails so can't check.

[Damian N]

Thanks guys. I have nothing against foreign investment but just seems a shame that in a country as vast and rich as Australia we can't sustain an indigenous aircraft company. The Flightglobal article mentions $38m, which in the scheme of things is relatively "peanuts".