(From Len Avery)


Good evening All,

I have been alerted to the following story which is presented in the latest edition of the Australian Aviation Express,
dated 23 June 2008.

For those who may remember the on going battles we had trying to keep the GAF Nomad flying within Army Aviation
you might find the following story of particular interest;

(I have taken the liberty to highlight a few feature's of the next generation of Nomad's in the following story).

GIPPSLAND AERONAUTICS LAUNCH NEXT GENERATION NOMAD.

Gippsland Aeronautics will restart production of the GAF N24 Nomad after purchasing the type certificate from Boeing Australia.

“The Nomad has a bright future,” said David Withers, president of Boeing Australia Limited.

“We're delighted with Gippsland's plan to continue providing outstanding support to existing customers while greatly expanding
the market for this remarkably versatile, Australian-designed aircraft.”

Gippsland will manufacture the Nomad at its LaTrobe Airport facility alongside the popular GA-8 Airvan.

The new Nomad will feature a glass cockpit and be powered by two Rolls-Royce 250B17F engines driving lightweight Hartzell
propellers, and is expected to have lower acquisition and running costs compared to the competing Dornier 228 and
DHC 6-400 Twin Otter.

The Nomad was originally designed in the 1960s as a short takeoff and landing (STOL) utility aircraft for both civil and military
use in two versions – the 13 seat N22 and 17 seat N24, of which a total of 170 were sold before production ended in 1984.

It is believed that there are currently over 50 Nomads still in service around the world.

Boeing obtained the type certificate via its acquisition of Rockwell in 1999. Rockwell had previously acquired Aerospace
Technologies of Australia (ASTA) which was previously known as the Government Aircraft factories (GAF).

Gippsland Aeronautics estimates that there is a worldwide demand for 400 Nomads over the next ten years, with most of the
demand to come from Southeast Asia.

Gippsland has already secured two letters of intent from Curry Kenny Aviation on the Sunshine Coast and Airfreight
Solutions in Bathurst.
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Wouldn't it be ironic if we were to see a Squadron of 'new' Nomad's purchased for 'Army Aviation'?

For those who are interested;

Australian Aviation Express. Keeps you up-to-date with all the latest developments in the domestic and international civil,
military and commercial aviation industries.


The Web Site address for Australian Aviation Express is;

< http://www.ausaviation.com.au/aaexpress.htm >

Regards
Len