iscover
Gippsland Aeronautics of Latrobe Valley Airfield, Victoria, have come up with an interesting and cost-effective alternative to purchasing new ag aircraft. They are modifying Piper PA25 Pawnee aircraft to two-seat configuration while at the same time increasing hopper capacity from 900cwt to 1700cwt. The mod, which effectively zero-times the airframe as well, adds 8" to the hopper width and takes 2½" from the fuel tank bay to offer a wider and more capable Pawnee. Power is increased to 260hp while the total cost is substantially less than buying a new similar capability ag aircraft.
Newsdesk – General Aviation
0 comment
General Dynamics Buys Cessna:
General Dynamics completed its acquisition of Cessna, the world’s largest GA manufacturer, in November for a reported $US660m. Cessna was the last of the big three to be taken over. Lear Siegler took over Piper in 1982 while Raytheon has been a parent to Beech for several years now.
The move will certainly bring new energy to Cessna though it is not known at this stage whether or not the ‘new’ Cessna will concentrate as hard on small aircraft as it formerly did. Cessna presently holds some 43% of the world corporate jet market in addition to a healthy slice of the turboprop market and may well concentrate its activities on this higher yield-producing area of operations. With GD’s financial backing, Cessna are also hoping to introduce their own insurance system to get around the debilitating burden of liability insurance which is presently crippling light aircraft manufacturing in the USA (see major report on p83 of this issue).
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
