IAI-201 Arava
The need for a jet trainer for the Israel Air Force was the moving force behind the decision in the late 1950s to produce the Fouga-Magister. The experience gained from this led to IAI striking out on its own with an Israeli designed and produced aircraft - the Arava short take-off and landing aircraft (STOL), which set the stage for the Company to move into production of IAI-designed commercial and military aircraft. All Arava variants fall into two categories: the civilian '100' series and the military '200' series. The type has sold all around the world to both civilan and military customers, playing such varying roles as maritime surveillance, fire-fighting, intelligence gathering and counterinurgency.
The Arava has a distinctive appearance, consisting of an egg-shaped, pod-like fuselage suspended under a high wing. Tail booms lead aft from the turboprop engine nacelles on each wing, ending in vertical tails connected by a horizontal stabilizer. The constant-chord, strut-braced wing has a high aspect ratio, no sweepback, and only 1 1/2 deg of dihedral. The tail group has double-tapered vertical tails with split rudders (sections above and below the tailboom structure). The horizontal stabilizer and single-piece elevator span the distance between the tailbooms.
The Arava was the first transport that was planned and produced in Israel. The prototype first flew on November 27th 1969. The plane's civilian version was powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-27, and was meant for flying 20 seated passengers or 12 medical evacuees on stretchers. The military version of the plane has a stronger power plant and can carry 24 armed troops, 17 fully equipped paratroopers, or 2.5 tons of cargo. The plane can also be armed with various weapons if necessary.
The Israeli Air Force had been aware of the Arava for a long time before the 1973 Yom Kippur war. Taking a rare and odd stance, the IAF claimed that fostering the local aircraft industry was not one of its missions and was distinctly cool about the type.
In the Yom Kippur War, several 'Arava 201' planes were conscripted by the IAF for transport missions in the Sinai. When war broke out on October 6th, 1973, the IAF commandeered from IAI the Arava 102 prototype and two 201 military examples built for a foreign customer. Serving mainly in the Sinai, The three aircraft proved to be of tremendous value. In the early 1980's, a number of Arava planes entered service with the IAF, and carried out transport, instructional and operational assignments. After 'Peace for the Galilee', the planes were employed for carrying troops between Lebanon and Israel. These flights made use of the Arava's ability to land on short, rough airstrips.
Heyl Ha'avir also purchased the more advanced model of the Arava, the Arava 202, which is equipped with more powerful engines. The Arava is one of the IAF's principal troop-carrying transports.
A popular light transport with Third World units, because of it's forgiving nature in-flight and easy maintenance. The Arava can can land or take off from any flat area. This twin engine turbo-prop plane is able to take a beating and keep on flying.
