Country of origin:

Australia

Description:

Two-seat light amateur-built sport aircraft

Power Plant:

One 82 kw (110 hp) Subaru EA-81 four-cylinder, four-stroke, horizontally-opposed dual electronic ignition liquid-cooled engine

Specifications:

History:

The Cobra Arrow was an Australian designed and built light two-seat high-performance aircraft aimed at the sporting pilot, designed by Thomas Wickers, being supplied by the manufacturers, known initially as Tomair but later as Cobra Aviation, in kit form to the amateur constructor.  It was derived from the Polliwagen and the prototype was first flown during 2002 but previous to that an airframe had been constructed as a non-flying exhibition unit which was shown to the public at the 2002 Australian International Airshow event at Avalon, VIC.

The prototype, registered 19-3700 (c/n TOM-1) on 14 March 2002 under AUF/RAA rules, was fitted with an 82 kw (110 hp) Subaru EA-81 engine, had a fixed tricycle undercarriage and conventional tailplane and elevators, these being replaced by a stabilator in July 2002.  The type was a fully composite two-seat high-performance aircraft and could be fitted with Rotax 914, Subaru EA-81 or EA-82, Jabiru 2200 or 3300, JPX, Continental or Lycoming O-320 and O-360 engines.  Engines up to 123 kw (165 hp) could be installed driving an in-flight adjustable propeller.  A digital cockpit display was also available.  Construction was of vinylester resin and sandwich panel.  It was manufactured in Melbourne and was the concept of Tom Wickers with the assistance of Bob Lothian.

The type has since been developed and kits commenced to be supplied to constructors during 2004.  The first tailwheel kit variant was completed in Victoria in late 2003.  The type became available in two main variants, the Arrow Sport, and the motor glider version, known as the Arrow M/G, this having the wingspan increased to 12.91 m (40 ft) and being basically a self-launched glider variant.

In 2003 a general aviation three-seat development became available with a 700 kg (1,543 lb) loaded weight, known as the Cobra Explorer. This had braced high wings, which saved 40 kg (88 lb).  The prototype was fitted with a modified 123 kw (165 hp) Mazda Renisis rotary engine driving a three-blade carbon-fibre in-flight adjustable propeller and, known as the Cobra Viper RX-8, it had fuel injection and drove the propeller via a reduction gearbox.  The Explorer fitted with the Subaru engine had similar dimensions but cruised at 222 km/h (138 mph).

In late 2005 a kit was supplied to the New Zealand distributor for completion as a demonstrator, this aircraft being an Arrow Mk 2, becoming ZK-JQX (c/n LW7062) and being completed at Waipukurau.  At one stage Tomair, which as noted became known as Cobra Aviation, was building a North American P-51 Mustang scale replica but nothing further is known about this aircraft.

One example has been reported to have been completed with a Rotec radial engine.  Examples known to have been completed and registered with the RAA include: 19-4463 (c/n 2510) with a Mazda Renesis engine and registered on 24 October 2005; 19-4361 (c/n 9) registered on 8 June 2005; 19-7290 (c/n 1135) with a Cobra Aviation 165 Viper engine and registered on 2 October 2009; and 19-8352 (c/n 0003ORO) registered on 18 June 2013.

An Arrow Mk 2 became ZK-RMJ (c/n 06) on 5 December 2008, making its first flight on that date.  This aircraft was built by Michael Jones and Raymond Babington and first flew from Hawera on 4 March 2009, piloted by Scott Logan.  This aircraft was fitted with a 123 kw (165 hp) Mazda Viper rotary engine driving a propeller built by Atom Propellers.  The aircraft was sold to Roger Jones of Kaitaia in July 2012 but the registration was revoked in June 2015. The aircraft was offered for sale and placed in storage at Whangarei.  It was eventually sold and took up residence at Invercargill.

A second Arrow Mk 2 registered in New Zealand on 24 October 2006 became ZK-JQZ (c/n LW7063) to its owner/builder Peter Warne of Waipukurau and first flew on 3 December 2006, being fitted with a Subaru EA-81 engine.