Colombian Aero Mercantil started distributing Pipers in 1952 and
began assembling Piper kits in 1968. Eric Leaver, project manager
with Aero Mercantil, wanted to produce a taxi/transporter for the
South American market. The design was made by General Aviation
Technical Services (former Piper engineers) of Lock Haven
Pennsylvania, by specification of Leaver: Piper PA-18-type, 150 mph,
high-wing utility, large doors, tubular construction, no machined parts.
The prototype, bearing a superficial resemblance to the larger Cessna
208 Caravan, was built by Aero Mercantil and Columbia’s first
indigenous aeroplane made its maiden flight in Bogotá on April
28, 1990. Late 1991 the Gavilán was transferred to Lock
Haven for further flight-testing and for certification flying. A new
company, El Gavilán S.A., was formed to handle all development
and production-related issues.
Disaster struck late February 1992 when a broken engine crankshaft
caused an emergency landing; the Galiván prototype sustained
substantial damaged and the program had a setback of many months.
Finally after 8 years of development the FAA Type Certificate was
issued on May 26, 1998. Four Gaviláns were delivered to the
Columbian AF and one to the Columbian Navy. The four Air Force
aircraft were fitted with weather radars in the first half of 2000.
The 350 hp powered Gavilán is a simple aeroplane with simple
systems and easy and comfortable flying characteristics. The aircraft
can be used for bush, charter, taxi, ambulance and small cargo
operations, carrying up to seven passengers or four patients on
litters and an attendant. In addition to tricycle landing gear it is
offered with twin-floats.
Recently (October 2003) Gavilan Aircraft Corporation of Canada Inc
was incorporated with the intention to locate the aircraft
manufacturing operations of El Gavilán S.A. of Bogotá
to Montreal, Quebec. A Pratt & Whitney (Canada) turboprop
powered version, the 508T Gavilán, is under development.