Country of origin:

Australia

Description:

Two-seat touring and training monoplane

Power Plant:

One 88 kw (118 hp) Textron Lycoming O-235-N2C four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine

Specifications:

History:

The Boomerang was designed by Mr William “Bill” Whitney as a two-seat, all-metal, light training monoplane in 2003-2004 to replace the many Cessna 152s and Piper Tomahawks in use around Australia with various training organisations.  The prototype (initially VH-AAV6 – c/n B0001) was designed to CASA Type 23 certification and built at Archerfield, QLD by Messrs Steven Wilson and Gary Dean of Dean Wilson Aviation.  It was fitted with a tricycle undercarriage which comprised leaf spring main undercarriage legs.  Arena Aviation of Archerfield was contracted to carry out the certification and testing process, and also became the launch customer.  Entry was by two car-style doors and dual control columns were fitted set into the instrument panel.  A second aircraft was constructed for destructive testing.

The prototype was completed in early 2006, having been placed on static display at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon in March 2005 in incomplete form.  It made its initial flight at Archerfield in July 2006 as VH-AAV6, making its official debut for the public and media at Kingaroy, QLD on 16 July.  However, when it was registered it became VH-AAS6 on 26 September 2006 and was registered to Dean Wilson Aviation of Kingaroy, QLD.  Production got under way in late 2006 at a new facility built at Kingaroy by Dean Wilson Aviation in February. First orders were received from Arena Aviation, as noted, and Minovation Flying School at Jandakot, WA.  Production was undertaken by Queensland Aviation Manufacturing Pty Ltd.

The first export order for the type was received in April 2007, this being for 15 examples to be supplied to two flying schools in India, with an option on a further six.  The first production machine VH-DWI³ (c/n B0002) flew for the first time in August 2007, being registered on 21 August 2007 as a Dean-Wilson DW200, and production continued.  FAR 23 certification was granted by CASA on 17 December 2007 and the first customer delivery was VH-KMB4 (c/n 0003) to Minovation Flying School of Jandakot, WA.  The aircraft has also been known as the Dean Wilson DW-200 Whitney Boomerang.

The aircraft was aimed at the aero-club / flying school market and was designed in the utility category, with NVFR and IFR capability. Standard engine was the 86 kw (115 hp) O-235 Textron Lycoming with a TBO of 2,400 hrs, a direct drive, carburetted unit.  The Boomerang was also made available to private owners with the 119 kw (160 hp) Lycoming O-235J2A series engine driving a 1.8 m (71 in) diameter two-blade, all-metal, fixed pitch propeller.  The manufacturers stated the cockpit had greater headroom and width than a Piper Tomahawk or a Cessna 152 and had generous all-round visibility through a night-rated lightly-coloured windscreen.  The baggage compartment behind the seats allowed up to 35 kg (77 lb) of luggage.  The nosewheel was steered by dual rudder pedals and had hydraulically actuated toe brakes. An independent parking brake was also installed.

VH-DXW was flown across the Tasman Sea via Norfolk Island to New Zealand, arriving at Kerikeri on 3 October 2008, the Company hoping to obtain orders from NZ flight training organisations.  It spent some time at Ardmore with NZ type acceptance being received on 24 October 2008.  No orders were forthcoming from New Zealand operators at that time and VH-DXW returned via Norfolk Island to Australia.

However, the Company entered receivership in June 2010 with Price Waterhouse Coopers being appointed.  The Type Certificate, aircraft on the production line, plant and equipment, parts and tooling for the manufacture of the aircraft, and the hangar housing the facilities at Kingaroy were then offered for sale.  No further aircraft are known to have been completed and registered.

Five examples appeared on the Civil Aircraft Register in early 2017 and the five aircraft completed were: VH-AAV6 (c/n B0001) which later became VH-AAS6; VH-DWI³ (c/n B0002) registered on 21 August 2007;  VH-KMB4 (c/n B0003) registered on 18 December 2007;  VH-DXW (c/n B0004) registered on 7 April 2008;  and VH-DWF4 (c/n B0005) registered on 7 April 2008. In May 2020 VH-AAS6, the prototype, was retired and removed from the Civil Register as not to be used as an aircraft again.