The GA8 Airvan

MAF currently operates the GA8 Airvan in PNG, northern Australia and Aceh, Indonesia. Designed to fill the gap between the Cessna 206 and the 208 Caravan, the high wing single piston (10-540 Lycoming) engine Airvan carries up to 7 passengers or 500kgs of supplies, and cruises at a speed of 140mph. 

With a much larger cabin and greater cargo pod capacity, but all the short field STOL (short take off and landing) capabilities needed for short bush airstrips, the Airvan is ideal for the rugged terrain of Papua New Guinea (PNG). It can take off to clear a height of over 15m in only 500m, with a landing distance of 370m.

In PNG, pilots often have to stop at several airstrips throughout the day. With more space available for cargo, the load can be separated for different airstrips, allowing fast and efficient turnaround on the ground. The roomier cabin in the Airvan also makes the journey more comfortable for passengers.

For pilots, the Airvan is ideal for flying in all terrains. PNG pilot, Chris White has been flying the Airvan for over a year. He enthuses, ‘It really is an awesome machine. I am able to carry at least 50-100kg more than in the 206.’

In times of emergency, the Airvan is long and wide enough to be able to fit a stretcher and still be able to keep a row of seats for the medical staff looking after the patient.

Chris was called to collect a man with head injuries and fly him to the nearest hospital in Daru. He explains, ‘With ease, the patient was loaded on a stretcher into the aircraft and I flew him to Daru. While on the ground, waiting for an ambulance, he started to come around. With him on the stretcher still inside the cabin, the two health workers were able to roll him into the recovery position while they cleared his airway and worked on keeping him alive. This would have been impossible in the 206 due to lack of space.’

The GA8 is used extensively for church, medical, educational and community development flights.