Photograph:
LET 410UVP 9L-LCE (c/n c/n 800524) at Caloundra, QLD in September 2003 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Czechoslovakia
Description:
Twin-engine light utility transport
Power Plant:
Two 559 kw (750 eshp) Walter M-601E turboprops
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 19.98 m (65 ft 6½ in)
- Length: 14.42 m (47 ft 4 in)
- Height: 5.83 m (19 ft 1½ in)
- Wing area: 35.18 m ² (378.69 sq ft)
- Max speed: 380 km/h (236 mph)
- Max cruising speed at 3,000 m (9,845 ft): 311 km/h (193 mph)
- Max rate of climb: 444 m/min (1,455 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 6,320 m (20,725 ft)
- Range with max payload with reserves at 6,000 m (19,685 ft): 339 km (211 miles)
- Empty weight: 4,160 kg (9,171 lb)
- Max payload: 1,615 kg (3,560 lb)
- Loaded weight: 6,400 kg (14,110 lb)
History:
The LET L-410 series was designed by the Letov organisation as a light transport and feeder liner for operation in the eastern bloc. The prototype (OK-YKE) flew for the first time on 16 April 1969 powered by two 533 kw (715 eshp) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 turboprops. In all, four prototypes were built, followed by 27 production aircraft known as the L-400A, all fitted with the Canadian turboprop engine. Development lead to variants for survey work such as the L-410AF. Then in 1973 the L-410M appeared fitted with the 548 kw (735 eshp) Walter M-601A engine, and 109 examples of this model were built.
In November 1977 the improved L-410UVP was offered, differing in having a lengthened fuselage, increased wing span,larger fin and rudder and M-601B engines. Some 495 examples of this model were built and this model was replaced on the production line in 1985 by the L-410UVP-E which had increased seating from 15 to 19 and other improvements. The type continued to be developed through to the Model 620.
The type has seen extensive service in eastern Europe in Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland and the former East Germany, and with Aeroflot in the Soviet Union, more than 300 examples being supplied to Russia. First of the type seen in this region was a Model 410 (OK-XYA) demonstrated at the Australian International Airshow event at Avalon, VIC in February 1995. During that year it was announced a Let 420 was to be operated on the Sydney to Lord Howe Island route by Heron Islands but the aircraft was not imported. In 2001 it was announced a Let 428 was to be imported for regional airline work in Tasmania but this also was not imported.
The American company, Ayres, has been involved in marketing the Let L-420 series, one (N420Y) making a demonstration tour of Australia following its attendance at the Singapore Airshow.
In more recent times an example has operated in Queensland, this being a Model 410UVP (9L-LCE – c/n 800524). This aircraft when built entered service with Czechoslovakia State Airlines in 1980 as OK-162. In December that year it was taken on charge by the East German Air Force with the serial 317 and was based at Strausberg. In 1990 it entered service with the Luftwaffe with the serial 53 + 09. In 2000 it became 9L-LBW, later 9L-LCE. It arrived in Australia in late 2000 and subsequently performed parachuting operations with Sunshine Coast Sky Divers and other parachute clubs on the sunshine coast, being based at Caloundra. It eventually left Australia and took up the registration 9L-LFT.