Gippsland Aeronautics Ga-200 Fatman

Single Piston

The Gippsland GA-200 Fatman is a rugged Australian utility aircraft designed for short-field operations in remote environments. Built by Gippsland Aeronautics in Victoria, the GA-200 first flew in the mid-1990s as a purpose-built workhorse for agricultural spraying, freight hauling, and backcountry operations across Australia and New Zealand. Its boxy fuselage and high-wing configuration prioritize payload capacity and rough-strip performance over speed, making it a favorite for operators who need to move cargo into places where pavement is optional. Powered by a 200-horsepower Lycoming IO-360 engine, the Fatman can haul up to 900 pounds of payload while maintaining respectable short-field takeoff and landing distances under 1,000 feet. Its stall speed of 48 knots in landing configuration and never-exceed speed of 152 knots define a modest but practical operating envelope suited to low-altitude utility work rather than cross-country travel. The type remains rare outside Oceania, with most examples registered in New Zealand where the aircraft's STOL credentials and load-carrying ability make it well-suited to the country's challenging terrain and agricultural aviation sector. SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, with activity concentrated across routes.