GippsAero buys Nomad for GA18 program

GippsAero has purchased an N24A Nomad that will become the developmental aircraft for its GA18 program, while also selecting the engine for its new GA10 turboprop.

GippsAero purchased the N24A (registered ZK-NMC), an improved commuter version of the original Nomad that seats 18 passengers, from Lake Tekapo-based charter operator Air Safaris New Zealand in July. Air Safaris New Zealand was using the aircraft for tourist flights in the NZ Southern Alps.

Pending weather and a few other variables, ZK-NMC will be ferried across the Tasman to GippsAero’s La Trobe base in late August or early September.

Based on the N24A Nomad, the GA18 will be re-engineered with upgraded engines, new propellers, glass cockpit, weight-saving measures, reduced maintenance requirements and aerodynamic refinements. A GippsAero spokesman told Australian Flying that its engineering team is on schedule to release details of the approved configuration of the GA18 – including engines, props and avionics to be used, and other improvements and refinements – at the end of September.

These latest developments come after GippsAero acquired the Nomad’s Type Certificate in 2008 with a view to restarting production. GippsAero’s Indian parent company, Mahindra Aerospace, has since committed funding to progress the GA18 project.

Following an extensive development and test program, the GA18 will be certificated to FAR 23 at Amendment 59. GippsAero plans to bring the GA18 to market in 2014.

GippsAero progresses other new projects
With its new injection of funds from Mahindra, GippsAero is currently hard at work on a few other projects. GippsAero expects to fly its NM5 prototype in mid/late August. The NM5 is a low-wing multi-mission aircraft that will seat four to five people, use the same engine as the GA-8 Airvan, have a useful load of 500-600kg and a cruise speed of 160 knots, and compete with the Cessna C206 and G36 Bonanza. Back in early April news emerged that Mahindra had tasked GippsAero with building the NM5 prototype, but there’s been no indication at this stage where production will eventually occur.

Once the NM5 prototype flies, GippsAero’s prototyping crew will return its focus to the GA10 prototype, which is currently in its design phase. The GA10 turboprop is a whole new FAR 23 certified 10-seat aircraft based on the popular GA8 Airvan, and as has just been announced at EAA AirVenture this week, GippsAero has chosen the Rolls-Royce M250-B17F/2 turboprop engine for the aircraft.

 “We are extremely pleased to partner with Rolls-Royce in the development of a new 10-seat turboprop utility aircraft,” GippsAero CEO Dr. Terry Miles said. “The development of the GA10 TP will add a new dimension to the GippsAero product range and with the Rolls-Royce M250-B17 F/2 fitted, will open new market segments across the globe since the aircraft will offer lowest cost per seat in its class and best-in-class short take-off and landing capability.

GA10 certification is due to begin in March 2012, with a public debut of the aircraft at the 2013 Australian International Airshow and entry into service later that year. GippsAero predicts that GA10 sales in overseas markets including India, Europe and Asia could reach 20 aircraft per year. To read more on the GA10 click here.

40 years young – the history of the Nomad
It was 40 years ago this month that the Australian designed and built GAF Nomad multi-role aircraft first flew.

The Nomad began life in the late 1960s at Government Aircraft Factories (GAF), near Melbourne, as Project N. Keen to maintain aircraft production skills at GAF after Mirage III fighter production ended, the federal government of the day funded the building of two prototypes in January 1970 for the twin-engine, multi-purpose transport market.

The first prototype (VH-SUP) made its inaugural flight on July 23 1971 with Stewart Pearce at the controls. The aircraft, known as the N2, was aimed at both military and civilian markets. The designation was changed to N22 and became the N22B in production. The 12-seat N22B has been used in various roles around the world, while an 18-seat development was designated the N24 and later the N24A, with an increase in MTOW.

In 1972 the government approved an initial production run of 20 Nomads, including 11 for the Australian Army. The Army Nomads were known as Mission Masters and were delivered between 1975 and 1977. The Australian Defence Forces eventually operated 29 Nomads, including eight N24s.

A total of 172 Nomads, including the two prototypes, were manufactured and the following variants were offered:
- N2 Nomad: Prototype, two built.
- N22: Initial production version, only one built.
- N22B: 10 passenger version, MTOW 8500lb.
· N22C: MTOW increased to 9100lb.
· N22S: Searchmaster - B and L models.
· N22F: Floatmaster - Amphibian float version.
· N24: Aeromedical role transport aircraft with a fuselage lengthened by 1.14m. Six built.
· N24A: Improved commuter version for 18 passengers, MTOW 9400lb, 37 built.

In 1986, GAF was incorporated into Aerospace Technologies of Australia (ASTA), which was later sold to the Rockwell. Boeing Australia Limited acquired the Nomad Type Certificate in 1996 after The Boeing Company purchased the Rockwell Group, including ASTA. Boeing maintained ASTA’s close working relationship with the Commonwealth to support and maintain the aircraft’s Type Certificate requirements.

Major civil users of the Nomad included the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Northern Territory Medical Service, Northern Territory Aerial Works, Skywest Airlines, Australian Customs, many commuter airlines in Australia, Holland, PNG, the US, and the US Customs service.

Today, there are several operational Nomads in the armed services of Indonesia (15), Thailand (16) and the Philippines (three), with another 26 aircraft classed as being in storage. In the civil world there is one Nomad in the UK, three in Sabah (Malaysia) and an amphibian in the US.

In Australia there is one operational Nomad, an N22C registered VH-ATO, with another four in New Zealand including the N24A that GippsAero has just purchased.