A_P_2015_04

April 2015 African Pilot 71

the 103 were purchased by the military forces and Aravas served in the air forces of 14
countries including Swaziland which possessed two aircraft.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

Crew: 2
Capacity: 24 fully equipped troops or 16 paratroopers
Payload: 2,351 kg (5,184 lb)
Length: 12.69 m (41 ft 6 in)
Wingspan: 20.96 m (68 ft 9 in)
Height: 5.21 m (17 ft 1 in)
Wing area: 43.68 m² (470.2 ft2)
Empty weight: 3,999 kg (8,816 lb)
Maximum take-off weight: 6,804 kg (15,000 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34 turboprops, 559 kW (750 shp) each

PERFORMANCE

Maximum speed: 326 km/h (215 knots, 247 mph) at 3,050 m (10,000 ft)
Cruise speed: 319 km/h (176 knots, 203 mph) at 3,050 m (10,000 ft)
Stall speed: 115 km/h (62 knots, 71.5 mph)) fl aps down
Range: 1,056 km (570 nmi, 656 mi) max fuel
Service ceiling: 7,620 m (25,000 ft)
Rate of climb: 6.6 m/s (1,290 ft/min)