3I Sky Arrow

The Sky Arrow is a tandem-seat, pusher configuration, high-wing carbon fibre light aircraft that was manufactured by 3I (Iniziative Industriali Italiane). With only ​16 1⁄2 inches of hip room, the aircraft is considered open due to a large amount of unobstructed view from the large canopy, rear engine, and seating positions ahead of the wing.[1]

Sky Arrow
Role Recreational aircraft
Manufacturer Magnaghi Aeronautica, 3I
First flight 13 July 1992

3I entered bankruptcy proceedings in 2008, and in 2012 the design was purchased by Magnaghi Aeronautica, of Naples, Italy.[2][3][4]

Design and development

Magnaghi Aeronautica, the new owners of the design in 2012, announced that it will be upgraded with larger wing tanks, improved aerodynamics and stability, strengthened structural elements and a new avionics package. The Sky Arrow will be available as a completed certified aircraft for light sport or as a kit. A four-seat version is also planned. Magnaghi Aeronautica also intendeds to market it for government utility roles, such as border patrol, pollution monitoring and aerial surveillance, with belly- and nose-mounted sensors.[3]

The 3I Sky Arrow 600 Sport and the Magnaghi Aeronautica Sky Arrow LSA are both US Federal Aviation Administration approved special light-sport aircraft.[4][5] The company also completed FAR 23 type certification for the Sky Arrow TCNS.[6]

Variants
  • Sky Arrow LSA
  • Sky Arrow 650 TCN
A Sky Arrow 650 TCN
The rear of the Sky Arrow 650 TCN, showing its pusher propeller.
The seating of the Sky Arrow 650 TCN

General aviation – out of production
  • Sky Arrow 650 TC
  • Sky Arrow 650 TCN
  • Sky Arrow 650 TCNS

General aviation – in production
  • Sky Arrow 650TCS:
(100 hp engine), VFR and Sky Arrow 650 TCNS for VFR Night - Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) of 650 kg (1,433 lb)
  • Sky Arrow 710RG:
100 hp engine, C for VFR and CN for VFR Night with an increased MTOW of 710 kg (1,565 lb) and retractable landing gear
  • Sky Arrow 710 PLUS:
100 hp engine, C and CN with an increased MTOW of 710 kg (1,565 lb) and the fixed landing gear
  • Sky Arrow 650 ERA:
fitted with RAWAS instrumentation by the Atmospheric Turbulence Diffusion Division of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration and Iniziative Industriali Italiane, for use in territory control environmental monitoring and for scientific research purposes.[7]

Light aircraft
  • Sky Arrow 450TS (100 hp)
  • Sky Arrow 480TS (100 hp)
  • Sky Arrow 500TF (80 hp)

Light sport – in production
  • Sky Arrow Sport (100 hp)
Meets ATSM requirements for the FAA Light-Sport category of aircraft.

Assembly kit
  • Sky Arrow 1450L (100 hp/115 hp)
Homebuilt package consists of ten subkits. Meets the FAA 51 percent builder rule.[8]

Specifications (650)

Data from Giotto Air[9]

General characteristics

  • Crew: two
  • Length: 7.60 m (24 ft 11 in)
  • Wingspan: 9.68 m (31 ft 9 in)
  • Height: 2.56 m (8 ft 5 in)
  • Wing area: 13.5 m2 (145 sq ft)
  • Gross weight: 650 kg (1,433 lb)
  • Useful load: 250kg (556 lbs)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 912 F2 , 73.5 kW (98 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 194 km/h (121 mph, 105 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 187 km/h (116 mph, 101 kn)
  • Service ceiling: 4,100 m (13,500 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 4.3 m/s (840 ft/min)

References
  1. Ed Kolano (May 1996). "Flying Qualities Report Sky Arrow". Sport Aviation.
  2. Marsh, Alton K. "AOPA Online: Sky Arrow builder struggling to revive". Aopa.org. Retrieved 2012-04-01.
  3. Grady, Mary (28 March 2012). "New Owners Aim To Enhance Sky Arrow Airplane". AVweb. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  4. Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 67. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
  5. Federal Aviation Administration (26 September 2016). "SLSA Make/Model Directory". Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  6. Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 154. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
  7. National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (1 October 2008). "The Sky Arrow 650 ERA". Archived from the original on 31 January 2009. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  8. "Sky Arrow". Aircraft Spruce. Retrieved 2012-04-01.
  9. Giotto Air (undated), Sky Arrow 650 Series, retrieved 1 April 2012
  • World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing.
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