Australian general aviation manufacturer Gippsland Aeronautics has purchased the certificate of type for the Nomad aircraft from Boeing Australia and is in negotiations with potential partners to restart production of an upgraded version, dubbed the next-generation Nomad.
The Nomad is a twin-turboprop, high-wing, short-field takeoff and landing aircraft that was designed and produced by the former Australian Government Aircraft Factory (GAF) in the late 1960s.
The aircraft was designed as a multi-role transport aircraft for civil and military use, with the short-fuselage N22 carrying 13 passengers and the long-fuselage N24 seating 17 passengers.
The first prototypes flew in 1971 and around 170 aircraft were built before production ceased in 1984 after safety concerns following numerous crashes that resulted in 56 deaths. A total of 54 Nomads are still flying, many operating with armed forces in South-East Asia.
Gippsland’s plans only include the N24A version, which would be fitted with Rolls-Royce 250B17F II engines, a glass cockpit and new lightweight propellers from Hartzell that would offer better performance and efficiency, and a weight-saving programme including new technology batteries to reduce basic empty weight, says Gary Wight, Gippsland chairman. He says: “There are no outstanding airworthiness issues with the Nomad.”
The first aircraft would be available in late 2010, with the manufacturer already securing letters of intent from two Australian operators. Independent research commissioned by Gippsland suggests global demand could exceed 400 aircraft in the next 10 years, with most demand expected from Asia.
“We are convinced that a viable niche market exists for this aircraft as there is no other twin-engined aircraft in this class available anywhere,” says Wight, adding that the Twin Otter and Dornier 228 are both larger aircraft with significantly higher purchase and operating costs.
Gippsland has yet to decide whether to rename it an Airvan, says Wight, but the aircraft is complementary to the successful GA8 Airvan utility aircraft.
Both are versatile, offer easy loading of passengers and freight, designed for short-haul and remote-area operations, have excellent semi-prepared airstrip capability and offer good fuel efficiency, according to Wight.
Until now Boeing Australia has provided support services for the fleet and type certificate management, inherited through its purchase of Rockwell Australia, which had previously acquired Aerospace Technologies of Australia (formerly GAF).
Gippsland has purchased certification authority for the type for an undisclosed figure, with the certificate of type due to be handed over this week.
The purchase includes technical and spares support and all intellectual property.
Source: Flight International