GippsAero, a Mahindra Aerospace Company and the Australian aircraft manufacturer of the GA8 Airvan, were today presented with a certificate and model Airvan by Ken Evers, in appreciation for their sponsorship and support of the Millions Against Malaria mission.

In mid-2010 two pilots from Bendigo, Ken Evers and Tim Pryse, flew GA8 Airvan #120 around the world in order to raise awareness of malaria, a preventable disease that affects around 216 million people worldwide. People living in third world countries are the most vulnerable to malaria. In 2010, 90% of all related deaths occurred in the WHO African Region, mostly among children under five years of age.

The primary objective of their historic earth rounding flight was to raise US $1 million for malaria awareness. A second objective of the mission was to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of powered flight in Australia and the aviation achievements of the nation during those 100 years. While many Australians have flown around the world this was the first time that an Australian designed and manufactured aircraft has circumnavigated the globe.

The journey took the Airvan and its crew over the oceans of four continents and through 16 countries on its 28,000 nautical miles global flight. The planned flight was to visit as many of the malaria ravaged countries on route. The aircraft crossed the equator no less than six times, which meant bad weather and headwinds for most of the voyage.
Ken stated, “I consider it a tremendous honour to be able to present this plaque and replica model of Airvan #120 to GippsAero in appreciation of their sponsorship and ongoing support of the Millions Against Malaria mission.”

Earlier this week in Bendigo, Tim and Ken were presented with a Fédération Aéronautique Internationale Circumnavigation certificate, as official recognition of the flight as an authentic and true circumnavigation of the earth. They are only the third and fourth Australians to ever receive this award.

CEO of GippsAero, Dr Terry Miles commented “We are delighted that Ken and Tim are duly recognised at the highest level for their significant round the world achievement and proud that the GA8 Airvan played a major role in the Millions Against Malaria campaign.”

To read more about the Millions Against Malaria mission please visit: www.millionsagainstmalaria.com

About GippsAERO/Mahindra Aerospace
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 $14.4 billion multinational group based in Mumbai, India, Mahindra employs more than 144,000 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.

In 2011, Mahindra acquired a majority stake in Korea’s SsangYong Motor Company.

For further information, please visit www.mahindra.com

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For further information about GippsAero or this media item, contact:

Mr. Mark McNamara
Marketing Manager
GippsAero Pty Ltd
PO Box 881
MORWELL VIC 3840
Ph + 61 3 5172 1200
M + 61 467 491 284
Fx + 61 3 5172 1201
E: mmcnamara@gippsaero.com
www.gippsaero.com
For further information regarding the Mahindra Group please contact:

Ms. Roma Balwani
Senior Vice President & Group Head, Corporate Communications
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.
Phone: (+91-22) 2490 1441
Fax: (+91-22) 2490 0830
Email: balwani.roma@mahindra.com
www.mahindra.com
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