CF-105 Arrow - Fast Facts 2
Canada’s first Arrow, RL 201 flew for the first time on March 25, 1958.
Built at a time when aircraft typically could only break the sound barrier speed of Mach 1.0 in a dive - the Arrow RL 201 broke the sound barrier in a steep climb on only it’s third flight on April 3, 1958.
While the first Arrow to fly broke the sound barrier on only its third flight – the second Arrow, on its second flight – the third Arrow broke the sound barrier on its maiden flight. These feats stand as strong testament to the outstanding achievements in design, engineering and manufacturing at Avro Canada.
The first Mk 1 Arrows had a climb rate of 38,450 ft/minute – the estimated rate of climb for the more powerful Iroquois powered Mk 2 aircraft was 44,500 ft/minute.
Designed to fly Mach 1.5, the Mk 1 test aircraft RL 202 was recorded at Mach 1.98 on Nov 11, 1958. The World Encyclopedia of Aircraft lists the Canadian Avro Arrow as a Mach 2.4 aircraft.
The Arrows were test flown in succession by four test pilots: Jan (Zura) Zurakowski, RCAF F/Lt Jack Woodman, W. (Spud) Potocki and Peter Cope.
Jan (Zura) Zurakowski, WW 11 fighter pilot, career test pilot and the first to fly the Arrow never held a regulation pilot’s license in his lifetime.
Of all the Arrow test pilots William (Spud) Potocki was the only one to fly all five Arrow test aircraft.
Peter Cope, transferred from the CF100 Canuck test program, was the only test pilot not to fly RL 201 – the very first Arrow built.
