It’s been 50 years since April 16th 1969, when the very first Let L-410 Turbolet aircraft took off. This Czech aircraft went on its first first flight from Kunovice Airport (LKKU) runway, near the city Uherské Hradiště in south-eastern Czech Republic. The first flight was 45 minutes long. The aircraft prototype was first registered under OK-60, and it was named “Matylda”. Later it got a civil registration OK-YKE. The aircraft factory was using it for presentation purposes only, until the end of 1974. Today, 50 years leater, it is displayed in the museum in Kunovice, near the factory.
Serial production started in 1971 and since then, there were more then 1.200 aircraft produced, in more then 20 different versions. The biggest customer was Soviet Union, resp. Soviet national air carrier Aeroflot (SU/AFL). Today there are about 350 aircraft in flyable condition in the different parts of the world. Production of 16 new aircraft is planned for this year, mostly for Russian and Kazakhstan markets.
Certification of the new generation version of L-410NG was finished last month and serial production is planned to start by the end of this year. At the same time, the new certification is in procces for the amphibian version with floats for air operation on the water.
The were three air carriers operating this aircraft in Croatia: Laus Air (LSU), North Adria Aviation (NAI) and Trade Air (C3/TDR). Trade Air is using it for domestic operation on PSO routes. Both planes are leased from Czech air carrier Van Air Europe (V9/VAA) and they are based at Osijek Airport. This aircraft is still operating in our neghbouring countries; as part of Slovenian Air Force fleet and Lipican Aer (LIP), and in Bosnia and Hercegovina flying for Icar Air (RAC).
Take a look at the photo gallery of Czech Air Force (CEF) planes in five different version based at military airport Kbely (LKKB) in Prague.
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Photo © Avioradar – Jan Kotek (LKKB)
