IAI Arava
| Arava | |
|---|---|
| File:Iai arava colombia.jpg | |
| Role | Transport |
| Manufacturer | Israeli Aircraft Industries |
| First flight | 27 November 1969 |
| Status | Active |
| Primary users | Israeli Air Force 14 other militaries |
| Produced | 1972-1988 |
| Number built | 80+ |
The Israeli Aircraft Industries Arava is a light STOL utility transport aircraft built in Israel by IAI in the late 1960s.
The Arava was IAI's first major aircraft design to enter production. It was intended both for the military and civil market, but the aircraft was only built in relatively small numbers. The customers were found mainly in third world countries, especially in Central- and South America as well as Swaziland and Thailand.
The design work on the Arava began in 1966, and the design objectives included STOL performance, the ability to operate from rough strips and carry 25 troops or bulky payloads. To achieve this, the Arava design was of a relatively unusual configuration. Its fuselage was barrel-like, short but wide, and the rear of the fuselage was hinged and could swing open for easy loading and unloading. Its wing span was long and the twin tails were mounted on booms that ran from the engine nacelles. The aircraft was powered by two 750 shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprops.
The Arava first flew on November 27, 1969, while a second prototype flew for the first time on May 8, 1971. Production ended in 1988. More than 90 aircraft were produced, including 70 for the military market. It is still in operation in some countries.
Versions
- IAI 101 - civil-transport version
- IAI 102 - civil passenger aircraft for up to 20 people in airline-standard configuration or up to 12 passengers in VIP configuration
- IAI 102B - civil transport version
- IAI 201 - military transport version
- IAI 202 - modified, longer version with modified wings
The military version could also be equipped with a range of weapons, in order to act in anti-submarine- or gunship roles. The weapon configuration could include two machine guns in fuselage side packs (usually 0.5" Browning), plus a third gun on the rear fuselage, and two pods containing 6 x 82 mm rocket pods or torpedoes or sonar buoys on the fuselage sides.
Operators
Specifications (IAI 201)
Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982-83[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Capacity:
- 24 fully equipped troops or
- 16 paratroopers
Performance
References
- ^ Taylor 1982, pp. 123–124.
- Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982-83. London:Jane's Yearbooks, 1982. ISBN 0 7106-0748-2.
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
- Miles Aerovan possible design source for the Arava
- de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter
- Antonov An-28
- CASA C-212
- Shorts SC.7 Skyvan
- Gotha Go 244
- Nord Noratlas
- PZL M-28