The ceremony took place at Noertrange Airfield, the home of Cercle Para. The club is the only parachuting facility in Luxembourg and the only airfield able to accept light aircraft other than the main international airport - making it a hot spot for skydiving enthusiasts in the area.
The Airvan, manufactured in Australia by GippsAERO, will enable Cercle Para to deliver seven parachutists safely and efficiently for operations up to 14,000 feet.
“We are extremely proud to know that Prince Félix of Luxembourg is presenting the Airvan to Cercle Para for its skydiving operations, a clear validation of its versatile nature. We look forward to strengthening our relationship with the Club and also look forward to further long term opportunities in Luxembourg,” said Mr. Arvind Mehra, Executive Director and CEO, Mahindra Aerospace Private Limited.
Mahindra Aerospace, a part of India’s US $ 12.5 billion Mahindra Group, had acquired GippsAERO in 2009.
Dr.Terry Miles, CEO of GippsAERO, reflected on the selection of the Airvan by Cercle Para: “We are delighted to know that Cercle Para will be using the Airvan and we hope to see it used in many more parachuting clubs.The turbo-charged GA8 Airvan is currently the first and only aircraft certified by EASA for parachuting operations. The aircraft’s large square section cabin, flat floor, impressive payload and strong climbing performance make it a perfect Skydive platform. With a large in-flight opening cabin door, skydive operators can effectively deliver tandem jumps, as well as undertake 4-way skydive formation exits.”
The formal presentation of the aircraft by Prince Félix of Luxembourg to the Cercle Para President was followed by speeches from various representatives and individuals involved in the project, including the Minister for Tourism. After the formal presentation, the Prince, amongst others, enjoyed a tandem jump with instructors from the Airvan.
For those not keen on jumping out of the aircraft, GippsAEROorganised local flights over the beautiful rolling Luxembourg countryside in its recently received European demonstrator.
GippsAERO, the Australian manufacturer of the GA8 AIRVAN, is the aircraft manufacturing division of Mahindra Aerospace. The company has manufactured in excess of 200 aircraft, which fly in 34 countries around the world, including USA, Australia, Europe, Africa and Asia.
Mahindra Aerospace is the aircraft and aero-structure manufacturing division of Mahindra Systech, and a new global player in the delivery of aircraft, aero-structures and aircraft development services. With its acquisition of two Australia-based aviation companies, Aerostaff Australia – producer of aerospace components for the world’s OEMs – and GippsAero – producer of the Airvan family of utility aircraft – Mahindra Aerospace has laid the foundations towards achieving its goals.
About The Mahindra Group
The Mahindra Group focuses on enabling people to rise. Mahindra operates in the key industries that drive economic growth, enjoying a leadership position in tractors, utility vehicles, information technology and vacation ownership. Mahindra has a presence in the automotive industry, agribusiness, aerospace, components, consulting services, defence, energy, financial services, industrial equipment, logistics, real estate, retail, steel and two wheelers.
A US $12.5 billion multinational group based in Mumbai, India, Mahindra employs more than 119,900 people in over 100 countries.
In 2011, Mahindra featured on the Forbes Global 2000 list, a listing of the biggest and most powerful listed companies in the world. Dun & Bradstreet also ranked Mahindra at No. 1 in the automobile sector in its list of India’s Top 500 Companies. In 2010, Mahindra featured in the Credit Suisse Great Brands of Tomorrow.
Its flagship company Mahindra & Mahindra Limited is the only Indian automobile manufacturer to feature in the top 10 list of the Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index in India - 2010, created by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP).
In 2011, Mahindra acquired a majority stake in Korea’s SsangYong Motor Company.
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