Unique Offering Also Attracting Attention From Law
Enforcement
by ANN Correspondent James Aronovsky
Sky Arrow, manufactured by 3I of Italy, is coming to Oshkosh,
and this time it looks to be the right aircraft at the right time.
The unusual configuration of a tandem pusher in a world of
side-by-side front engine planes had caused Sky Arrow to search for
years for the right demographic for its slightly unusual
features.
Fewer than two dozen part 23 and kit models had been sold in the
decade or so Sky Arrow has been in the US, though well over 250 are
flying worldwide. Now the light sport phenomenon, and Sky
Arrow’s unique qualities position it to make a big impact for
Oshkosh attendees who have found production airplanes too big,
ultralights too small, and kit planes too daunting.
Pacific Aerosystems, the importer and distributor of Sky Arrow,
was originally formed in the late 70’s to build and modify
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s) for the military. It
suffered the fate of many other defense contractors as the Cold War
wound down in the early 90’s. Downsized, but determined to
still be in the aircraft business, PA looked to the Sky Arrow which
was itself an offshoot of a UAV design. It is the modern version of
the swords into plowshares story.
A carbon-fiber aircraft
of impeccable fit and finish, the Sky Arrow appears from a distance
to be just a very large 2-place ultralight. Indeed, it was
originally designed to meet European light aircraft standards. It
was initially imported into the US as a kit and was restricted to
the Experimental category.
In the cockpit, the pilot sits in a snug but comfortable seat,
secured by a 5-point harness. The forward seating arrangement
reminds me of nothing less than an F-16 cockpit. The wing is well
aft, and the giant canopy provides jet fighter-like visibility
ending practically down to your thighs.
The narrow panel does not provide for the standard six-pack of
instruments, which is one reason the plane is only certified for
day and night VFR (the LSA version, obviously, only for day). The
other slight disadvantage of the small panel and the lack of a
glareshield is that having no structure in your peripheral vision
makes straight and level flying a little unnerving... and steep
turns embarrassing... until your experience level improves.
It is slightly ironic that this VFR aircraft with the superb
visibility requires frequent scanning of the instruments to make
sure you’re flying straight.
Howard Hawkins, a retired California Highway Patrol Officer and
an experienced CFI, runs Pacific Aerosystems based in San Diego,
CA. After he showed me the minor differences between the LSA and
standard models, he invited me up for a short flight. Taxiing with
the canopy open in the California sun felt a little like being on
motorcycle. With the canopy closed, our take-off run was fairly
short and the plane showed a rate of climb well above the typical
Cherokee or Skyhawk.
Flight characteristics of the Sky Arrow seemed perfectly
pleasant and predictable. Stalls are not much more than a mush, and
cruise with the 100hp Rotax is around 95 knots.
Did I mention the phenomenal visibility? I’ve been in
helicopters that had less Plexiglas. This in-flight visibility has
caught the attention of the US Dept. of Justice -- and Howard has
been invited to demonstrate the aircraft for possible use by
smaller law enforcement agencies not able to afford much more
expensive helos.
One other unique feature of this T-Tailed pusher bird is the
phenomenal ability to slip for altitude loss. Howard demonstrated a
nearly 2000 fpm decent that pinned me to the canopy and then
straightened it out to bring us in for a quite uneventful
landing.
While the Sky Arrow is not for everyone, its unique qualities
seem to make it a perfect fit for those pilots looking for an
airplane that won’t get lost on a crowded ramp.