The Cooke Avian Adventurer is a one-off design constructed of riveted alloy extrusions, and fabric covered. Design and built by Bruce Cooke of Cambridge, New Zealand, construction was over 10 years and the approximate cost to build was NZ$10000-$20000. A two seat side by side plus large baggage bay, ultralight, there are full dual controls.
The aircraft is influenced by the classic taildraggers such as the Piper Cub, Cessna Bird Dog and the Auster series. Construction is of rivetted interlocking aluminium extrusions. This construction method results in a high component count but it avoids the necessity for expensive sheetmetal tooling. The outward sloping cabin sides reduce the amount of bending required for the bottom longerons while allowing very generous shoulder room for the two side by side occupants and giving an almost directly down view through the fully glazed upward opening doors. The airframe is covered with Stits Polyfiber fabric.
The engine is Subaru EJ 20 “Matariki” (Subaru and Matariki both refer to the cluster of 6 stars in the Taurus constellation named Pleiades by the ancient Greeks), which produces 140 HP Nominal and drives a 3 bladed electrically variable Ivoprop through a Neil Hintz gearbox.
Bruce Cooke’s Avian Adventurer ZK-CKE c/n AV08-1 was first registered on 19/11/08, although it did not fly until March 2011.
The first flight in March 2011 was at Hamilton with test pilot Bob Monds.
Engine: Subaru EJ20 Matariki, 140 hp
Prop: Ivoprop 3 bladed electrically variable
Wingspan: 10.23 metres
Length: 7.63 metres
Empty Weight 640kg
MAUW 850kg
Cruise: 90-95 knots
Stall speed: 35 knots
Fuel burn at cruise: 27 lt/hr
All Aero 