Credit
Bob Adams from George, South Africa · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Resized · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Source ↗ · Modified
FORCETALLY
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At a glance
True scale
Side by side. From every angle. A human reference for perspective.
3.30 MB · Loads when you open it| Model | Length | Width / span | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| IAI Arava | ≈ 13.03 m | ≈ 20.96 m (Width) | ≈ 5.21 m |
| P-68 | ≈ 9.55 m | ≈ 12 m (Width) | ≈ 3.4 m |
Scaled uniformly to the sourced length of 13.03 m. The shape was turned square to the axes; the height was fitted to the sourced 5.21 m; the width was fitted to the sourced 20.96 m. Not an official model or a measured survey.
ForceTally · All rights reserved
Scaled uniformly to the sourced length of 9.55 m. The shape was turned square to the axes; the height was fitted to the sourced 3.4 m; the width was fitted to the sourced 12 m. Not an official model or a measured survey.
ForceTally · All rights reserved
The human reference is a generic 1.75 m figure. Models describe external size, not combat performance.
Measured figures
IAI 201 · Length
Single source13.03 m (42 ft 9 in)[source]
P.68C · Length
Configuration
| Specification | IAI Arava | P-68 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Light STOL Transport aircraft[source] | Light transport[source] |
| Manufacturer | Israeli Aircraft Industries[source] | Partenavia Vulcanair[source] |
| Status | Out of production, limited use[source] | In service[source] |
| Primary users | Israeli Air Force (IAF) 14 other militaries[source] | — |
31 ft 0 in (9.55 m)[source]
Cruise; IAI 201 · at 3,050 m (10,000 ft) (econ. cruise)
Single sourceMaximum; IAI 201 · at 3,050 m (10,000 ft)
Single source326 km/h (203 mph, 176 kn) at 3,050 m (10,000 ft)[source]
311 km/h (193 mph, 168 kn) at 3,050 m (10,000 ft) (econ. cruise)[source]
Cruise; P.68C · at 10,000 ft (3,050 m) (econ cruise)
Single source160 kn (187 mph, 301 km/h) at 10,000 ft (3,050 m) (econ cruise)[source]
IAI 201 · 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34 turboprops (750 shp) each
Single source2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34 turboprops , 560 kW (750 shp) each[source]
P.68C · 2 × Lycoming IO-360 -A1B6 air-cooled horizontally-opposed engine each
Single source2 × Lycoming IO-360 -A1B6 air-cooled horizontally-opposed engine, 200 hp (150 kW) each[source]
IAI 201 · Wing area
Single source43.68 m 2 (470.2 sq ft)[source]
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
| Number built |
|---|
103[source] |
431+[source] |
| Manufactured | 1972–1988[source] | 1970-present[source] |
|---|
| First flight | 27 November 1969[source] | 25 May 1970[source] |
|---|
| Capacity | 24 fully equipped troops or 16 paratroopers or 2,351 kg (5,183 lb) payload[source] | plus five passengers[source] |
|---|
| Aspect ratio | 10:1[source] | — |
|---|
| Airfoil | NACA 63(215)A 417[source] | — |
|---|
| Fuel capacity | 1,663 L (439 US gal; 366 imp gal) (normal)[source] | 177 US gal (147 imp gal; 670 L)[source] |
|---|
| Propellers | 3-bladed Hartzell HC-B3TN fully-feathering reversible pitch propellers[source] | 2-bladed[source] |
|---|
| Stall speed | 115 km/h (71 mph, 62 kn) (54% flaps)[source] | 57 kn (66 mph, 106 km/h) (flaps down, power off)[source] |
|---|
| Never exceed speed | 397 km/h (247 mph, 214 kn)[source] | — |
|---|
| Takeoff distance to 15 m (50 ft) | 463 m (1,520 ft)[source] | — |
|---|
| Landing run from 15 m (50 ft) | 469 m (1,540 ft)[source] | — |
|---|
| Role | light STOL utility transport aircraft[source] | light aircraft[source] |
|---|
| Source measurement | According to aviation journalist and ex-IAI engineer Danny Shalom, substantial work on the development of what would become the Arava commenced right after the Six-Day War between Israel and several neighbouring nations. Prior to this point, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) had largely confined its aircraft manufacturing efforts to producing copies of existing French and American designs, such as the IAI Nesher . However, many of the company's engineers were keen to develop beyond imitation and reverse engineering effort, for IAI and Israel to produce its own unique and indigenously produced aircraft. Around this time, the company foresaw a requirement for a new generation of transport aircraft that would suit operations from runways only 400 meters in length. IAI had forecast the international market demand for such an aircraft to be massive and that, by obtaining only a 20% market share, the company would sell between 400 and 600 aircraft throughout the life of the programme.[source]IAI Arava · Design and development / Origins; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage As the design took shape, key performance objectives included Short-Takeoff and Landing (STOL) capability, the ability to operate the type from unprepared/rough airstrips, as well as the carriage of up to 20 passengers or bulky payloads. The Arava featured a barrel -like fuselage , being relatively short but wide, while the rear of the fuselage was hinged and could swing open for easy and rapid loading and unloading. Its wingspan 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 a pair of 715 eshp (533 kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 A-27 turboprop engines. The design configuration bore considerable similarity to the French Nord Noratlas transport plane, which was already being used at that time by the Israeli Air Force (IAF).[source]IAI Arava · Design and development / Origins; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Civil passenger aircraft for up to 20 people in airline-standard configuration or up to 12 passengers in VIP configuration[source]IAI Arava · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage 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.[source]IAI Arava · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Bolivian Air Force – Six purchased 1975–76. One seized by Nicaragua during delivery, one in use 1987.[source]IAI Arava · Operators; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Ecuadorian Army – 2 in use as of December 2018. One other aircraft E-206 was written off due to a crash[source]IAI Arava · Operators; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Salvadoran Air Force – 3 in use as of December 2015, variant IAI Arava 202 since 2008.[source]IAI Arava · Operators; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Guatemalan Air Force – 1 in use as of December 2015.[source]IAI Arava · Operators; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Honduran Air Force – 1 in use as of December 2018.[source]IAI Arava · Operators; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Papua New Guinea Defence Force – 3 in use as of December 2015 but since retired.[source]IAI Arava · Operators; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Army of Venezuela – 11 in use as of December 2015, reducing to 4 by December 2018.[source]IAI Arava · Operators; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Capacity: 24 fully equipped troops or 16 paratroopers or 2,351 kg (5,183 lb) payload[source]IAI Arava · Specifications (IAI 201); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Length: 13.03 m (42 ft 9 in)[source]IAI Arava · Specifications (IAI 201); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Wingspan: 20.96 m (68 ft 9 in)[source]IAI Arava · Specifications (IAI 201); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Height: 5.21 m (17 ft 1 in)[source]IAI Arava · Specifications (IAI 201); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Wing area: 43.68 m 2 (470.2 sq ft)[source]IAI Arava · Specifications (IAI 201); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Empty weight: 3,999 kg (8,816 lb)[source]IAI Arava · Specifications (IAI 201); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Max takeoff weight: 6,804 kg (15,000 lb)[source]IAI Arava · Specifications (IAI 201); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34 turboprops , 560 kW (750 shp) each[source]IAI Arava · Specifications (IAI 201); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Maximum speed: 326 km/h (203 mph, 176 kn) at 3,050 m (10,000 ft)[source]IAI Arava · Specifications (IAI 201); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Cruise speed: 311 km/h (193 mph, 168 kn) at 3,050 m (10,000 ft) (econ. cruise)[source]IAI Arava · Specifications (IAI 201); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Stall speed: 115 km/h (71 mph, 62 kn) (54% flaps)[source]IAI Arava · Specifications (IAI 201); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Never exceed speed : 397 km/h (247 mph, 214 kn)[source]IAI Arava · Specifications (IAI 201); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Range: 1,056 km (656 mi, 570 nmi) with maximum fuel[source]IAI Arava · Specifications (IAI 201); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Service ceiling: 7,620 m (25,000 ft)[source]IAI Arava · Specifications (IAI 201); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Rate of climb: 6.6 m/s (1,290 ft/min)[source]IAI Arava · Specifications (IAI 201); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Takeoff distance to 15 m (50 ft): 463 m (1,520 ft)[source]IAI Arava · Specifications (IAI 201); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Landing run from 15 m (50 ft): 469 m (1,540 ft)[source]IAI Arava · Specifications (IAI 201); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage | The type certification for the P.68 Victor , a twin piston engine, high wing monoplane with fixed tricycle landing gear was applied for on 22 January 1969. The Partenavia P.68 was designed as a six-seat light transport and trainer powered by two 200 hp (149 kW) Lycoming IO-360 engines, it made its first flight on 25 May 1970 at Naples . The type certification for the 9.20 m (30.18 ft) long P.68 was granted by the Italian Civil Aviation Authority on 17 November 1971 for an 1860 kg (4100 lb) MTOW . It was approved by the FAA on 7 December 1971. After 300 h of flight tests , production was to start in May 1972 in a new plant at Naples Capodichino Airport at a rate of three aircraft per month. The prototype was built at Arzano , Italy, production began with 14 pre-production aircraft at new facilities in Casoria , Italy.[source]Partenavia P.68 · Development / Partenavia P.68 Victor; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The longer, 9.35 m (30.68 ft) P.68B Victor certification was applied for on 18 October 1973 and granted on 24 May 1974 for a 1960 kg (4321 lb) MTOW. Its unit cost was US$ 82,000 in 1974 (US$535000 today). Its fuselage was lengthened to create more space in the cockpit.[source]Partenavia P.68 · Development / Partenavia P.68 Victor; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Both derived from the P.68B and 9.55 m (31.33 ft) long, the P.68R Victor has a retractable landing gear and was certified on 31 July 1978 while the P.68C has a nose allowing a weather radar , larger fuel tanks and increased weights, and was certified on 23 July 1979 with a 1990 kg (4387 lb) MTOW. The P.68C-TC , certified on 29 April 1980, has turbocharged, 210 hp (157 kW) Lycoming TIO-360 -C1A6D engines. In 2021, the equipped price of the P.68C was US$1.25M, US$1.5M for the P.68R and US$1.55M for the P.68C-TC.[source]Partenavia P.68 · Development / Partenavia P.68 Victor; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The 9.43 m (30.94 ft) long P.68 Observer , derived from the P.68B with a transparent fuselage nose, adapted systems and larger fuel tanks, was certified on 12 June 1980. The observation aircraft for law enforcement were initially conversions of existing aircraft by German Sportavia-Putzer . |
|---|
| Country of origin | Israel[source] | Italy[source]Inventory Origin column; table 2, row 6, cell 2; revision 1343823935 |
|---|
| Designer | — | Luigi Pascale[source] |
|---|
The 9.15 m (30.02 ft) long P.68TC Observer , a P.68 "Observer" with turbocharged engines, was certified on 18 June 1985.[source]Partenavia P.68 · Development / Partenavia P.68 Observer; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
The 9.54 m (31.30 ft) long P.68 "Observer 2 is a P.68 "Observer", with increased weights, upturned wing tips and modified systems, and was certified on 30 November 1989 for a 2084 kg (4594 lb) MTOW.[source]Partenavia P.68 · Development / Partenavia P.68 Observer; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
The 10.89-11.27 m (35.73-36.97 ft) long, retractable gear AP68TP-600 "Viator" , with two 328 hp (245 kW) Allison 250 -B17C turboprops, has a 2850–3000 kg (6283-6614 lb) MTOW and was certified on 16 October 1986. In 2023, its equipped price was $3.5M.[source]Partenavia P.68 · Development / Partenavia AP68TP-600 Viator; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
The 9.90 m (32.48 ft) long, fixed gear AP68TP-300 Spartacus was certified on 10 December 1983 with two 328 hp (245 kW) Allison 250 -B17C turboprops and a 2600 kg (5732 lb) MTOW . The nine-seater development was helped by Aeritalia . The prototype first flew in 1978 with a retractable undercarriage.[source]Partenavia P.68 · Development / Partenavia AP68TP-300 Spartacus; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
September 11, 1983: A P.68C, N29561, performing an aerobatic display broke up in flight during an airshow in Plainview, Texas . The NTSB report revealed that analysis of the video showed the aircraft performed a fly-by over the runway, exceeding its Vne (Velocity, never-exceed) speed by 27 knots. The pilot then executed a sharp nose-up pitch change of about 8 degrees, which spiked the aircraft's dynamic load factor to 8.3Gs and caused both wings to fail in the main spar just outside both engine nacelles then separate from the aircraft, which then began rotating, causing the rear fuselage to twist along its length between its cabin and empennage . The aircraft then plummeted 250 feet down just beyond the group of spectators.[source]Partenavia P.68 · Incidents and accidents; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Capacity: plus five passengers[source]Partenavia P.68 · Specifications (P.68C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Length: 31 ft 0 in (9.55 m)[source]Partenavia P.68 · Specifications (P.68C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Wingspan: 39 ft 4 in (12 m)[source]Partenavia P.68 · Specifications (P.68C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Height: 12 ft 3 in (3.40 m)[source]Partenavia P.68 · Specifications (P.68C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Empty weight: 3,130 lb (1,420 kg)[source]Partenavia P.68 · Specifications (P.68C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Max takeoff weight: 4,594 lb (2,084 kg)[source]Partenavia P.68 · Specifications (P.68C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Powerplant: 2 × Lycoming IO-360 -A1B6 air-cooled horizontally-opposed engine, 200 hp (150 kW) each[source]Partenavia P.68 · Specifications (P.68C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Cruise speed: 160 kn (187 mph, 301 km/h) at 10,000 ft (3,050 m) (econ cruise)[source]Partenavia P.68 · Specifications (P.68C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Stall speed: 57 kn (66 mph, 106 km/h) (flaps down, power off)[source]Partenavia P.68 · Specifications (P.68C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Range: 1,103 nmi (1,269 mi, 2,043 km) (econ cruise, standard fuel)[source]Partenavia P.68 · Specifications (P.68C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Service ceiling: 18,000 ft (5,490 m)[source]Partenavia P.68 · Specifications (P.68C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Rate of climb: 1,100 ft/min (6.0 m/s)[source]Partenavia P.68 · Specifications (P.68C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage