Nanchang Fighter Trainer
Built under license for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) in China, the basic Yak-18 was known as the Nanchang CJ-5. Produced at the Nanchang Aircraft Factory from 1954 through 1958, the design showed deficiencies for jet pilot training that led the Chinese to independently design a more modern aircraft.
The result, the CJ-6, was a completely new aircraft design. The wing root section is identical to the Beechcraft T-34 Mentor – the USAAF’s equivalent training aircraft, on the other side of the Iron Curtain. The new aircraft featured fully retracting landing gear, unlike the Soviet style semi-retractable gear and a completely flush riveted aluminium alloy construction.
“The CJ–6 has so many rivets it makes you wonder whether The People’s Rivet Factory was having a clearance sale. The fact that they’re so overbuilt and required so much labor provides peace of mind to those pulling Gs in them now. That inherent strength makes the CJ–6 a robust aerobatic performer.
— Dave Hirschman AOPA
The CJ-6A boasts excellent control harmony, with good rate of roll while at the same time being stable enough to be used as an all-weather instrument platform. It stands on rugged trailing link undercarriage built to withstand enormous landing loads.
The airframe is certified to +6G and -3G. This is a conservative limit for the heavy duty construction methods used in this aircraft, which is one of the most overbuilt and sturdy types flying in Australia.
The CJ-6A was manufactured up until June 2011, when the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force finally replaced it with the updated composite 2 seat training aircraft. Still powered by the powerful and reliable M-14 engine from which the CJ-6’s engine is derived, the new Nanchang CJ-7 is replacing the trusty CJ-6A after over 50 years of service.
Agcat Open Cockpit Biplane
Why fly in an 80 year old biplane made of wood and glue (the venerable Tiger Moth) when you can get the same open cockpit biplane experience in the big, strong, rugged metal Grumman Agcat.
Originally designed as a crop duster, the Agcat is inherently sturdy – being built to withstand the punishing life of an ag plane. Big loads, corrosive materials, tens of thousands of landing cycles, an ag plane must be able to withstand all this year after year in the harshest of environments.
Adventure Flights Co’s Agcat doesn’t have to do any of that! Instead of the hopper, there is a two place seat installed. This seating position offers 360° views. This is a lot of aircraft for 2 people, extremely rugged and reliable. It is a G164A model with the big, dependable Pratt & Whitney R-985 450hp supercharged radial engine – one of the world’s most reliable aircraft piston engines ever built.
Airvan 8 Seat Charter
The 8 seat GippsAero Airvan8 is an Australian manufacturing success story. Designed and built in the new precision manufacturing facilities in Latrobe Valley near Melbourne, the Airvan8 is exported to the world. It was planned from the start to be a rugged, strong and affordable aircraft for scenic flights, skydiving, freight, charter and specialist surveillance operations.
Why fly in clapped out old Cessnas? Adventure Flight Co’s brand new GA8 Airvan is certified to the highest safety standards, and far exceeds the standards of both safety and build quality standards of Cessnas that first flew over 50 years ago.
The Airvan8 features:
- large rear loading door
- centre isle
- oversize windows
- modern high quality build and safety standards
- air conditioning
- seats for 7 passengers
- large cargo area for bags and surfboards, golf bags and fishing rods
Faster and more affordable than helicopters, the Airvan8 cruises at over 200km/h whilst still being able to operate out of unprepared landing areas like beaches, paddocks, and remote roads. This relatively low operating costs and high seating capacity translates into low seat prices for 12 Apostles scenic flights, King Island Surf Safaris and general Aircraft Charter.
The Airvan8 operated by AdventureFlightCo is certified to fly in all weather and night for freight and specialist operations, and fair weather day operations for passenger charter and scenic flights. For freight the Airvan8 can carry 700kg of cargo 500km in a little over two hours, any time.
For passenger charter the Airvan8 can carry seven 77kg people on a 90 minute scenic flight or four people and luggage over 1000km. This incredibly versatile, safe, reliable, aircraft is in a class of its own.
