We have been doing this for a long time! Way back in April 2010 I did a post on some aircraft that were imported by Dougal Dallison. In that post I could only include a photo of it as G-BSRK which it became after it was exported back to the UK in 1990 after its short life in New Zealand. I then asked "can anyone post a photo of ZK-FSQ?" but nothing came of it. Now 16 years later I became aware of a photo of ZK-FSQ on the AustAirData website.
The ARV Super2 was designed by Bruce Giddings in the UK in the early 1980s and was promoted by Richard Noble (holder of the 1983 world land speed record) who had identified a potential gap in the low weight low cost training aircraft market after major US manufacturers temporarily stopped production due to product liability issues. Richard Noble set up a factory on the Isle of Wight to build the ARV (which stands for Air Recreational Vehicle) but production ceased after around 35 aircraft were built. The prototype first flew on 11 March 1985.
The ARV Super2 was a side by side trainer with a tricycle undercarriage and a shoulder wing for good visibility. Its specifications are: length 18 feet (5.49 metres), wingspan 28 feet 6 inches (8.69 metres) and a wing area of 92.5 square feet. Its empty weight was 675 pounds (306 Kg) and its MAUW was 1,100 pounds (400 kg) and with its 75 HP engine its performance was cruise speed 83 knots (95 mph) and it had a stall speed of 48 knots (55 mph). The engine was interesting, it was a Hewland AE75 3 cylinder 2 stroke with a 2.75 to 1 reduction gearbox. It only weighed 108 pounds (49 Kg) and was specifically designed for the ARV Super2. However it only had a TBO of 800 hours and with the lack of ongoing factory support, many ARV Super2s have been re-engined with Rotax 912s and Jabirus.
Obviously we have only had one ARV Super2 registered in New Zealand. Was it registered as a microlight?
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