Let L-410 & L-420

Czech Republic

19 seat turboprop regional airliners

The L410 is very successful Czech commuter which was first built in response to Soviet requirements, but has sold widely around the globe. First design studies of the original 15 seat L 410 began in 1966. The resulting conventional design was named the Turbolet, and was developed to be capable of operations from unprepared strips. The powerplant chosen was the all new Walter or Motorlet M 601, but this engine was not sufficiently developed enough to power the prototypes, and Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A27s were fitted in their place. First flight occurred on April 16 1969, and series production began in 1970. Initial production L 410s were also powered by the PT6A, and it was not until 1973 that production aircraft L 410Ms featured the M 601. The basic L 410 was superseded from 1979 by the L 410 UVP with a 47cm (1ft 7in) fuselage stretch, M 601B engines and detail refinements. The UVP was in turn replaced by the M 601E powered UVPE in which the toilet and baggage compartments were repositioned allowing more efficient seating arrangements for up to 19 passengers. The UVPE is the current production version. The L 420 is an improved variant with more powerful M 601F engines, higher weights and improved performance designed to meet western certification requirements. It first flew on November 10 1993 and was awarded US FAA certification in May 1998. Ayres took control of Let in September 1998 and plans to further develop the 410/420 line.

L 410 UVPE - Two 560kW (750shp) Motorlet M 601 E turboprops driving five blade Avia propellers. L 420 - Two 580kW (775shp) M 601 Fs.

L 410 UVPE - Max cruising speed 388km/h (210kt), economical cruising speed 365km/h (197kt). Initial rate of climb 1378ft/min. Service ceiling 24,300ft. Range with max fuel (including wingtip tanks), 920kg (2030lb) payload and reserves 1318km (707nm). 420 - Max cruising speed 390km/h (210kt). Initial rate of climb 1400ft/min. Range with max payload 560km (302nm), range with a 1015kg (2237lb) payload and max fuel including tip tanks 940km (507nm), range with max fuel excluding tip tanks 940km (507nm).

L 410 UVPE - Empty 3920kg (8720lb) to 4020kg (8863lb), operating empty 4120kg (9083lb) to 4180kg (9215lb), max takeoff 6600kg (14,550lb). L 420 - Basic empty 4065kg (8962lb), operating empty 4225kg (9314lb), max takeoff 6600kg (14,550lb).

Wing span over tip tanks 19.98m (65ft 7in), length 14.43m (47ft 4in), height 5.83m (19ft 2in). Wing area 34.9m2 (375.2sq ft).

Flightcrew of two. Typical commuter passenger seating for 17 or 19 at three abreast. Executive version seats 15 plus flight attendant. Cargo version equipped to handle special containers. Air ambulance version configured for six stretcher patients and six sitting passengers, either injured or medical attendants.

Almost 1100 L 410s of all variants built, including 31 L 410As, 110 L 410Ms and 560 L 410 UVPEs, with over 400 in service and more than 40 on order. One L 420 built.

Let L-410 & L-420