GippsAero has begun work on the GA18 hangar at Latrobe Valley Airport.
The GA18, the prototype of which is expected to fly by the end of this year, is a new version of the GAF N24A Nomad twin turbine utility aircraft.
The Member for Gippsland South, Peter Ryan, turned the first sod of dirt for the new hangar, which has been enabled by government funding.
The existing hangars at GippsAero are not large enough to manufacture the 18-seat aircraft.
“This new facility will enable GippsAero to undertake final assembly and integration work for the initial production GA18s,” said GA18 Project Leader James Garth.
“The GA18 is a highly competitive turboprop utility aircraft with an Australian heritage, designed by GippsAero and backed by the strong multinational capability of Mahindra Aerospace.
"This facility will mean more manufacturing jobs for the Latrobe Valley on this exciting program.”
Dr Terry Miles, CEO of GippsAero, said “The GA18 development hangar provides new facilities for the development of the new GA18 twin turbo-prop aircraft enabling new skills and additional jobs within the growing engineering team at GippsAero.
"The development of the GA18 is a cornerstone in the growth of engineering capability and capacity at the company and in production of a new aircraft which will propel GippsAero and Mahindra Aerospace into new markets across the globe."
Late last year the Member for Morwell, Russell Northe, announced funding to facilitate crucial infrastructure upgrades at the Latrobe Valley Airport. The $2 million infrastructure grant, included $500,000 funding from Latrobe City Council.
The GA18 is based on the N24A Nomad but will be re-engineered with more powerful engines, improved propellers, glass cockpit, improved maintainability measures and an all-new empennage.
The aircraft will be certified to the latest safety standards of FAR 23 Amendment 62.