LET L-410

LET L-410

The Let L-410 is a small two-engine regional turboprop airliner, seating up to 19 passengers. It was developed and is still being built in the Czech Republic.

In 1966 the Czechoslovak aircraft manufacturer Let Kunovice started design studies for a 15-seat regional airliner to fulfill a Soviet requirement for a small passenger aircraft to replace the widely used Antonov An-2 biplane. The resulting design was initially designated L-400, but this was soon altered in L-410 Turbolet.

The L-410 is capable to land and takeoff from unprepared strips. It was originally fitted with two all-new Walter M601 turboprops, but because of delays in the development of this engine, Let installed two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27s instead. With these engines, the L-410 first flew on 16 April 1969.

Series production commenced in 1970. The early production aircraft were powered by PT6As, but from 1973 Let delivered L-410Ms with the M601.

The basic L-410 was followed by the L-410 UVP in 1979. This version has a 47 cm (1 ft 7 in) stretched fuselage allowing seating for up to 19 passengers. It also has improved M601B engines. The next version was the UVP-E with M601E engines, five-blade propellers and wingtip tanks. This version first flew in 1984.

The UVP-E is the current production version and the most popular variant. An improved variant is the L-420, which has been designed to meet western certification standards. It has more powerful M601F engines, higher weights and better performance. The L-420 first flew on 10 November 1993 and became FAA certified in May 1998.

L-410NG

The newest version is the L-410 NG (Next Generation), which first flew on 29 July 2015. Aircraft Industries received certification from the EASA in December 2017 and from the FAA in January 2018, and began series production in April 2018. First delivery is to take place in late 2018. The NG is an upgraded version of the L-410 UVP-E20. It has a new wing structure with integral fuel tank and increased fuel capacity almost doubling range and endurance. Power is delivered by two more powerful General Electric H85-200 turboprop engines. The new engine gearbox lowers propeller speed, increases cruise speed and reduces external and internal noise. The nose is extended to provide 400 kg more luggage and cargo capacity. The aircraft is also fitted with a 'glass cockpit'.

More than 1,200 aircraft of all versions have been built.

Let L-410 UVP-E Specifications

Wingspan: 19.48 m (63 ft 11 in). Length: 14.42 m (47 ft 4 in). Height: 5.83 m (19 ft 2 in).

Empty weight: 3,985 kg (8,785 lb). Max. take-off weight: 6,400 kg (14,110 lb).
Passengers: 19. Range: 1,380 km (744 nm). Cruise speed: 365 km/h - 197 kts).

Engines: two Walter M601E turboprops (559 kW - 750 hp).

Let L-410 NG Specifications

Wingspan: 19.98 m (65.55 ft). Length: 15,01 m (49.46 ft). Height: 5.97 m (19.58 ft).
Max. take-off weight: 7,000 kg (15,435 lb). Max. payload: 2,150 kg (4,748 lb).
Passengers: 17-19. Range: 2,630 km (1,418 nm). Cruise speed: 417 km/h (226 kts). Engines: two General Electric H85-200 turboprops (850 shp / 634 kW).
(Photo: LET Aircraft Industries)