Multipurpose aircraft Let L-410. The first half century in operation
The first experimental aircraft L-410, 1969 Photo Airwar.ru
At the end of 2021, it will be 50 years since the start of regular operation of the Let L-410 light multipurpose aircraft on airlines. Over the past decades, this type of equipment has become widespread and has found its place in transportation in dozens of countries around the world. Moreover, after the restoration of production, the aircraft has a great future.
In the framework of international cooperation
In the mid-sixties in the USSR and other countries of the socialist camp, the need to create a new passenger aircraft took shape. For use on local airlines, an aircraft that was inexpensive to manufacture and operate was required, capable of carrying up to 20 passengers or an equivalent cargo over a distance of 500-600 km. Taking into account such needs, the Soviet State Research Institute of Civil aviation carried out the necessary research and formed the terms of reference for a promising project.
The development of a new aircraft according to the requirements of the State Research Institute of Civil Aviation was carried out by several Soviet design bureaus and the Czechoslovak company Let (Kunovice). The latter was in 1966-67. created a new project L-410 or Turbolet. Based on the results of a comparison of the submitted projects, as well as taking into account cooperation within the framework of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA), the Czechoslovak project was accepted for further implementation.
Airplane with aerial cameras L-410FG. Photo Airwar.ru
For several years, the Let plant completed the design and built a prototype aircraft. The first flight of the new aircraft took place on April 16, 1969. Soon after, it was decided to prepare for serial production. It was assumed that the plant in Kunovice will produce up to 45-50 aircraft per year, which will eventually meet all the needs of the CMEA countries.
First episodes
In 1969, the Let plant began construction of five series zero aircraft, and later the first one was launched. Already at this stage, various innovations began to appear, as a result of which part of the 1 series aircraft and subsequent 0st machines were attributed to the L-1A modification. In 410, this type of equipment began to be handed over to customers. The first to receive it was the Czechoslovak airline Slov-Air. By the end of the year, the new L-1971A entered regular flights.
For several years, only 31 "A" modifications were built. These were mainly passenger cars with a passenger compartment for 17 seats. In limited numbers, the L-410AS variants were also built with an improved interior, the L-410AB and L-410AG with a modified propeller group, and the L-410AF with a set of aerial cameras.
One of the L-410 of the Russian army, 2020.Photo by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
In 1973, an upgraded aircraft with new Czech-made M-601A engines was built and tested on the Leta. This version was designated L-410M and soon went into production. The production of this modification continued until the end of the seventies, when the next version appeared on the conveyor. During this time, several hundred aircraft were built - modification "M" eventually became the second in terms of the total number of manufactured equipment.
The first Turbolets appeared in our country in 1973. Five L-410A machines of the previous year were tested and put into operation. Shortly thereafter, the USSR placed large orders for the next serial modification, the L-410M. It was planned to purchase several hundred aircraft for the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Civil Aviation. For civil transport alone, 100 vehicles were purchased.
"Shortened takeoff and landing"
In 1978-79. Czechoslovak aircraft manufacturers have launched a new modification - L-410UVP ("shortened takeoff and landing"). An enlarged wing with new mechanization, improved empennage and upgraded M-601B engines provided improved take-off and landing characteristics. The aircraft also received a set of avionics joint Soviet-Czechoslovak development.
L-410UVP-E20 at the North Pole, 2015 Photo by the Russian Ministry of Defense
Since the beginning of the eighties, modified versions of the L-410UVP have been produced. The customers were given equipment with an improved cabin, aerial photography aircraft, as well as a specialized transport modification. In 1984, the L-410UVP-E aircraft appeared with a new power plant based on the M-601E engines.
In the late eighties, Let developed a modification of the L-410UVP-E20 with improved flight characteristics and increased payload. Later, the aircraft was modernized using an imported General Electric H80-200 engine, which made it possible to enter the "big" international market.
The L-410UVP aircraft appeared at the right time and in a favorable environment. "Let" received large orders from the CMEA countries, and then was able to find customers from other countries. Production was brought to the level of 45-50 aircraft per year. As a result, the "UVP" version became the most popular in stories family L-410.
Airplane L-410UVP-E20. Photo by Let / Aircraft Industries
Soviet aviation received its first L-410UVP in 1979-80. After passing the necessary checks and procedures, the car was allowed to be used in the army and in civil aviation. Subsequently, it was the USSR that became the main customer of these aircraft.
Hard times
At the turn of the eighties and nineties, the Let plant found itself in a difficult position. The socialist countries ordered fewer and fewer planes, and some refused to make new purchases altogether. At the same time, the Czech company was able to find buyers abroad. New L-410UVPs of late versions were sent to Asia, Africa and South America. Due to the low cost and high performance, "Turboleta" in some markets were able to effectively compete with foreign models.
However, the needs and opportunities of new buyers were limited, and the total volume of the order book was significantly reduced. In the most unfortunate years, the plant built no more than 5-10 aircraft. The maintenance of already built equipment and the supply of spare parts helped to survive in such conditions. However, this did not save the company from bankruptcy and several changes of owners. As a result of these processes, the Let plant was transformed into Aircraft Industries, as
Cab L-410UVP-E20. Photo by Let / Aircraft Industries
In 2008, the Russian Ural Mining and Metallurgical Company acquired 51% of shares in Aircraft Industries. The new owner began to restore production and planned to reach rates of up to 15-20 aircraft per year. These intentions were partially fulfilled. So, from 2009 to 2013. the plant built approx. 60 aircraft. Then UMMC bought out the remaining shares, increasing its stake to 100%.
New era
Since 2010, Aircraft Industries has been developing a deep modernization project for the L-410NG. The airframe underwent a serious rework and all key components and instruments were replaced, which led to an increase in all major flight technical and operational characteristics. In July 2015, an experienced L-410NG took off for the first time.
In the spring of 2018, serial production was launched. The first serial NG was handed over to a Russian customer a year later. It was also reported that there were orders from Poland and Kazakhstan. At the time of the launch of the series, there were orders for 16 vehicles. Subsequently, new contracts emerged, and production in Kunovice continues.
The last modification is L-410NG. Photo by Let / Aircraft Industries
In mid-2016, it was announced that the L-410 would be produced in Russia as well. The Ural Civil Aviation Plant was chosen as the construction site. The first Russian-assembled aircraft were laid down at the beginning of 2018. By the end of the year, they managed to build and launch five aircraft for testing. There were 18 more cars in the plan for the next year.
Production continues to this day and shows good results. The degree of localization has gradually increased and there is a solid portfolio of orders. So, in the summer of this year it was reported that the plant is already building the 50th aircraft. The customers of the new L-410s are mainly Russian private airlines.
Overall results
Production of L-410 aircraft of the zero series and the first modification began a little more than half a century ago - in 1969. Over the next few years, production gained momentum, and then, until the early nineties, it was carried out rhythmically and at a good pace. For the next two and a half decades, the situation left much to be desired, but Let / Aircraft Industries managed to retain its competence - in order to then restore production and help with the launch of work at UZGA.
Modern cockpit on the L-410NG. Photo by Let / Aircraft Industries
Thanks to the processes of recent years, the production of the latest L-410 modifications continues to this day. It probably won't stop in the foreseeable future. Its preservation is facilitated by the presence of a limited but stable demand for equipment and spare parts, as well as the possibility of carrying out new upgrades with an increase in performance and bringing parameters in line with market requirements.
From the end of the sixties to the beginning of the tenth, more than 1100 aircraft of all modifications were built by the “Let” plant. To date, a hundred more machines have been built by the forces of two factories in the Czech Republic and Russia. It is very likely that in the coming years the total number of L-410s will again increase by tens.
The main customer of the Czechoslovak aircraft at one time was the USSR - our country received more than 860 aircraft of various modifications. By the time of the collapse of the Soviet Union, approx. 750 aircraft. Most of them went to the Russian military and civilian structures, while the rest remained with the newly formed countries.
Aircraft assembled in Russia. Photo of UZGA
Due to a number of objective factors, the active L-410 fleet in our country and abroad not only grew, but also declined. In particular, since the beginning of the seventies, more than 130 cars have been lost in various accidents and incidents. Significant numbers of aircraft were written off in the nineties and two thousandths. Nevertheless, active operation of the L-410 continues. In 14 armies of the world there are more than fifty "Turbolets", and civil transportation is provided by dozens of aircraft in 18 countries.
Past and Future
Successful design and international support from the top helped the L-410 Turbolet multipurpose aircraft to become mainstream and widespread. In addition, the groundwork was created for further modernization and mass operation for a long time.
The production of the L-410 aircraft continues - despite all the difficulties of the past and the current fierce competition in the market. Newly built aircraft are regularly handed over to customers and then go to work. And this means that the operation of "Turbolets" does not end after the first 50 years, and new anniversaries await this technique in the future.
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