The Airvan is a simple, boxy airplane but has excellent payload and large doors for the pilot and passengers, who like the spacious cabin.

by Rick Durden

When we reported on the Gippsland Aeronautical Airvan in the November, 2002 issue of Aviation Consumer, we were impressed with the airplane’s large cabin and easy access. But we had some gripes, too.

We didn’t like the turning radius on the ground nor the degree of propeller erosion we observed and we were uncertain how its relatively slow cruise speed—15 to 20 knots slower than the Cessna 206/207–would pan out in the real world. It turns out that the operating experience has been positive but not without some warts. …