GippsAERO, the Australian manufacturer of the GA8 Airvan, and Jinggong Aviation launched a sales distribution and support program for Mainland China at the inaugural China International General Aviation Convention (CIGAC) in Xi¡¯an, China.

The dealer agreement has been established as a response to meet the growing needs of the general aviation market in Mainland China, which is forecast to expand at a rate of 20 percent annually. Under the agreement, GippsAERO will work with the CAAC (Civil Aviation Administration of China) to certify both the naturally-aspirated GA8 and turbo-charged GA8-TC 320 Airvans in China. Jinggong will establish a new dealership based in Xi¡¯an, and will support the market with sales, maintenance and support facilities.

As the general aviation market in China grows, the companies expect to see opportunities for the GA8 Airvan and GippsAERO¡¯s new aircraft in Aerial Survey, regional transportation, corporate travel, freight and servicing a growing market in tourism operations.

GippsAERO¡¯s Regional Manager China', Mrs Marguerite Morgan said ¡°With Airvan flying in 38 countries worldwide, we are proud to be working with Jinggong to now introduce Airvan to China and establish a sales and distribution network for the region. The Airvan is ideally suited for this market. It¡¯s low operating cost, high useful load, ability to operate off grass and undeveloped airstrips and outstanding versatility make it an excellent platform for local operators.¡±

Dr Terry Miles, CEO of GippsAERO added ¡°We are delighted to be working with Jinggong Aviation to develop the Chinese market. China Jinggong Group is a world-class organisation with an excellent reputation in aviation. We are confident of their ability to establish a highly effective sales, distribution and support network across Mainland China."

Certified in 2000 in Australia and FAA certified in 2003, there are currently over 160 GA8 Airvans in active service globally, working across tourism, air charter, freight, aerial survey and private operations.

GippsAERO is also well underway in development programs for both a 10 seat turbo-prop (first flight 2011, CASA certification early 2013) and an 18 seat twin turbo-prop aircraft (CASA certification 2014), and will work with Jinggong to add these aircraft to the range available in China.

About GippsAERO

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 ¨C producer of aerospace components for the world¡¯s OEMs ¨C and GippsAero ¨C producer of the Airvan family of utility aircraft ¨C 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).

About Jinggong General Aviation Co Ltd

Jinggong General Aviation is part of the China Jinggong Group, a diversified organisation who¡¯s activities span real estate, steel structure construction, machinery and automobile, logistics, wine and aviation. Established in 1968, the group successfully listed in Share A of the Chinese Stock Market. The Group¡¯s aviation division was established in 2006 to meet the needs of the growing general aviation market in Mainland China. Jinggong Aviation dedicates itself to aviation manufacture and service and has subordinates of Shanghai Little Eagle Science £¦ Technology Co, Ltd., Shanghai Sikorsky Aircraft Co., Ltd., Jinggong (Beijing) General Aviation Co., Ltd., and Shanghai Heli General Aviation Co., Ltd.

Jinggong General Aviation focuses on R&D, manufacture and management of unmanned helicopters and civilian light helicopters. Shanghai Little Eagle made a breakthrough in unmanned helicopter technology, successfully developed a first home-made over-range of visibility unmanned helicopter with independent intellectual property; meanwhile, it has fulfilled national science and technology test projects many times. Shanghai Sikorsky Aircraft introduced world-advanced design and production technology of civilian light helicopters and set up perfect service system for the helicopter industry. Its product quality fully meets the FAA requirements.

At present the aviation service arm of the company mainly focuses on general aviation business, including flight training, safekeeping agent of aircrafts, aerial photography, mine exploitation, power line patrol, prevention and control of plant diseases and insect pests, oceanic monitoring, etc. Both Jinggong (Beijing) General Aviation Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Heli General Aviation Co., Ltd. are Grade-A general aviation companies; and if not taking into account the Capital Airport, Beijing Badaling air traffic base is the only one for taking-off and landing of fixed-wing aircrafts in Beijing area.