GippsAero has selected West Coast Aviation Services as its authorised dealer in the western USA, with the company tapped to sell the firm's GA8 Airvan aircraft.

Based in Orange County, West Coast Aviation will handle GA8 sales in Hawaii, California, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana and Nevada.

"The appointment of West Coast Aviation Services as an authorised dealer in the western USA is an exciting step forward in continuing to expand our US sales network for our rugged Federal Aviation Administration [FAA] approved utility aircraft," says Arvind Mehra, executive director and chief executive of Mahindra Aerospace, the parent of GippsAero.

West Coast Aviation says the GA8 is suitable for a number missions in the region, including tourism, surveillance and family transport.

Powered by a single Textron Lycoming IO-540-K1A5-6 piston engine, the eight-seat GA8 aircraft is capable of short take-offs and landings from austere airfields.

Source: Flight International