The aircraft was designed to fill a market niche perceived by the manufacturer between the Cessna 206 and Caravan models.  It is used in various roles, including passenger service, freight, sightseeing, parachuting, observation, and search & rescue.

As of September 2011^[ref], at least 159 Airvans had been produced and delivered.

A turbocharged version of the aircraft was in planning from 2004, and the prototype turbocharged aircraft commenced flight testing in October 2006. In February 2009, Gippsland Aeronautocs announced that the Australian Civil Aviation Authority had issued an amendment to the GA8 type certificate to cover the turbocharged variant. This version is designated as the GA8-TC320 and is powered by a 320 HP Lycoming TIO-540-AH1A Turbocharged Fuel Injected Engine. The first deliveries took place in February 2009, with several GA8 TC-320 Airvans delivered to customers in Australia and New Zealand.

A turboprop derivative of the GA8, the GA10, is also being developed. It is a slightly stretched 10-seat capacity aircraft powered by a Rolls-Royce 250-B17F/2 turboprop engine.  It is planned to retain as much parts commonality with the GA8 as possible.

A floatplane version has been considered by the manufacturer and is awaiting certification of the turbocharged engine version.

As of September 2010 testing and development has begun for a 200 lb increase in MTOW, due to be certified in the form of a STC estimated December 2010.

One GA8 became the first Australian designed and manufactured aircraft to fly around the world, raising funds for malaria awareness. It was piloted by Australian pilots, Ken Evers and Tim Pryse who took off from Bendigo Australia on 8 May 2010, flying over several malaria endemic countries, before returning to Bendigo on 8 July 2010.

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Capacity: 7 passengers
• Length: 8.95 m (29 ft 4 in)
• Wingspan: 12.28 m (40 ft 3 in)
• Height: 3.89 m (12 ft 9 in)
• Wing area: 19.32 m² (208.0 sq ft)
• Aspect ratio: 7.9:1
• Empty weight: 997 kg (2,198 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 1,814 kg (3,999 lb)
• Fuel capacity: 340 L (74.8 Imp Gallons)
• Powerplant: 1 × Textron Lycoming IO-540-K1A5 air-cooled flat-six, 220 kW (300 hp)
• Propellers: 2-bladed Hartzell F8475R constant speed propeller

Performance

• Maximum speed: 241 km/h (150 mph; 130 kn) at 1,525 m (5,000 ft)
• Cruising speed: 222 km/h (138 mph; 120 kn) at 3,050 m (10,000 ft)
• Stall speed: 97 km/h (60 mph; 52 kn) (flaps down)
• Range: 1,352 km (840 mi; 730 nmi)
• Endurance: 6 hr
• Service ceiling: 6,100 m (20,013 ft)
• Rate of climb: 4.00 m/s (788 ft/min)

Source: Wikipedia