IAI Arava

IAI Arava

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 1965, and the design objectives included STOL performance, the ability to operate from rough strips and carry 20 passengers 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. It was fitted with a fixed nosewheel undercarriage to save weight, while the chosen powerplant was two 715 eshp (533 kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 turboprops.

The first prototype Arava made its maiden flight on November 27, 1969, but was destroyed when a wing strut failed during flight testing on November 19, 1970. A second prototype flew for the first time on May 8, 1971. Three planes were commandeered for use by Squadron 122 in the Yom Kippur War, but were returned afterwards. The Israeli Air Force would not purchase the plane until 1983, when nine planes were bought. Production ended in 1988. 103 aircraft were produced, including 70 for the military market. The IAF decided in 2004 to retire the plane. It is still in operation in some countries.