L-410 (photos are located below) is one of the passenger aircraft models developed by the Czechoslovak company Let. The airliner is designed to transport people, goods and mail over short distances. In its category, this model surpasses many analogues in a number of indicators and is considered one of the best.
Short story
Work on the design of the aircraft under the name L-410 was started in 1966 in the Czechoslovak city of Kunovice. Three years later, an experimental model of the model rose into the sky. Then it was equipped with Pratt & Whitney PT6A-27 engines. Over the next few years, the designers substantially modified and improved the aircraft. The key innovation was the new Czech Walter M601 motors, which were developed specifically for him at the airline's factory in 1973. Later, the company's engineers created a number of modifications of the L-410 aircraft. The model quickly became popular, and its individual instances appeared on all continents.
In the early nineties of the last century, a real crisis began for the enterprise: there were practically no orders for new liners. The situation changed dramatically only in 2008, when 51 percent of its shares were acquired by the Russian company UMMC (another five years later, it bought out the rest). The new owners of the plant managed to significantly expand the portfolio of orders and make the model truly in demand on the market. As a result, during this time, several dozen copies of the airliners from the line were built and sold to various customers from Ukraine, Brazil, Bulgaria and Slovakia. A significant proportion of them went to domestic consumers.
Now in the world there are just over 400 aircraft of this line of various modifications. According to experts, only for the Russian market the need for these airliners today is about one hundred copies. Work on the modernization of the model does not end at the present time. As for the cost of the L-410, the price of the aircraft starts at 2.4 million euros.
General description and characteristics
The aircraft was based on the aerodynamic design of a free-standing high-wing. The model has a fuselage of circular cross-section such as a semi-monocoque and an all-metal construction. The aircraft is equipped with a three-leg retractable landing gear with a nose strut. As for the wings, they are straight and trapezoidal in plan. The model is assembled by a Czech company on a full cycle. In other words, there are equipped lines for the production and assembly of all elements and assemblies, starting from surface treatment of materials and ending with tests at our own airport.
The serial version of the airliner, which is very popular in our time, is equipped with two GE H80-200 turboprop power plants. The maximum flight range of the model is just over 1.5 thousand kilometers, while the longest flight time is about five hours. The aircraft is capable of simultaneously carrying 19 passengers on board, excluding crew members.
Key Benefits
Now a few words about the main advantages that the Let L-410 airliner boasts. The reviews of specialists in this field indicate that the main of them can be called the lowest operating costs in the entire category. In addition, the aircraft is reliable and durable even in extreme conditions. The engines of the model are characterized by unique traction characteristics, which are maintained at a fairly low pressure and high temperature. Among other things, this aircraft has the most spacious cabin in its category, a spacious luggage compartment and excellent safety parameters, which allows passengers to provide a high level of comfort. It should also be noted that the equipment used here is highly variable for installing additional options. Due to its unique landing gear, the vessel is capable of taking off and landing even on short, grassy and moisture-saturated strips.
Exploitation
Currently, the L-410 model is successfully operated in more than fifty states located on five continents. For the entire period of aircraft production, a total of about 1,100 of its copies were collected. It is most popular in the countries of the former Soviet Union. As of today, the Czech aircraft factory produces a modification of UVP E20, which is considered the most modern and advanced in the line.
Often, Let L-410 aircraft are operated by airlines that provide air taxi services. In addition, the model is very popular in many world government agencies. It should be noted that the manufacturer always provides its customers with all the necessary service support in a timely manner. The aircraft is also available in landing, ambulatory, medical, cargo and executive versions.
The cabin volume of the L-410 is 632 cubic feet. Due to this, even in its standard version, passengers are provided with a rather high level of comfort. At the same time, one cannot fail to note the fact that often its interior is being finalized and additionally equipped for the purpose of further use in the form of a corporate or private aircraft, where there is everything necessary for rest and work.
Extreme Flight
As already noted above, the L-410 aircraft can quite successfully and safely be operated even in difficult weather conditions. According to the technical passport, this airliner is designed to operate at temperatures from -50 to +50 degrees. Thus, thanks to the unique design and heavy-duty fuselage, the model is actively used both in the red-hot heat of African and Latin American deserts, and in the coldest corners of the planet.
Certification
Aircraft L-410 has been certified and received relevant type certificates in many states, including the Czech Republic, Russia, Germany, Argentina, the Philippines, Australia, Brazil and others. After the establishment of the European Aviation Safety Agency, the model received EASA certification, the effect of which applies to all countries of the European Union. In addition, the operation of this aircraft is allowed in many other countries of the planet.