An exclusive agreement for U.S. distribution of the Arava, 18 to 20 passenger commuter airplane manufactured in Israel, has been announced jointly by Gabriel Gidor, president of Israel Aircraft Industries in Tel Aviv, and Michael Savage, executive vice president of Consolidated Aircraft in Beverly Hills.
The Arava, to be known in the United States as the Commuter liner, has been certified by the Federal Aviation Administration, the announcement said. The first aircraft will be arriving in this country on Nov. 1. Consolidated Aircraft has projected sales in the first year of 20 aircraft to serve the needs of the rapidly expanding commuter industry here, according to the announcement.
The Arava, unique for its swing-tail cargo handling capability, can be converted to comfortable, wide-body passenger configuration within minutes. Israel Aircraft Industries has sold 86 Arava airplanes during the past eight years in countries throughout the world. The cost for each airplane delivered in the United States is $1,650,000, the announcement noted.
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