Engineering:Utva 66

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Utva-66
Utva-66 on display in the Museum of Aviation
Role Military Training Aircraft/General Aviation Aircraft
Manufacturer UTVA
Designer UTVA
First flight 1966
Status Retired
Number built 130

The UTVA-66, is a STOL light utility / liaison aircraft produced in the former Yugoslavia. A development of the UTVA-56, it first flew in 1966 and was intended largely for use by the Yugoslav military.

Description

The UTVA-66 derived from the UTVA-56, featuring fixed leading-edge slats and a larger tail.[1]

The aircraft was designed to operate from unprepared fields. Its STOL characteristics include leading edge fixed slats, flaps and drooping ailerons.[2] The cockpit is equipped with dual flight controls. The right front and rear seats in the older version of the aircraft could be removed to accommodate two stretchers. The 66H ("Hidro") variant replaced the fixed landing gear with pontoon floats for operation from bodies of water;[1] these could be exchanged for snow skis.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}

Operational usage

Civilian UTVA-66 in Canada in 2008

During the Yugoslav Wars some aircraft fell into Slovenian and Croatian hands.[1] The last operational aircraft were withdrawn from military service in 1999.

Variants

  • 66AM − Air ambulance version.[1]
  • 66HFloatplane version.[1]
  • 66V − Armed variant with provisions for underwing armament.[1]

Former military operators

Utva 66 Hydro
Utva 66 with floats.
 Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Bosnian Air Force ; Croatia
  • Croatian Air Force[1]
 North Macedonia
  • North Macedonia Air Brigade ; Republika Srpska
  • Republika Srpska Air Force **92nd Light Multi role Aircraft Squadron
 Slovenia
  • Slovenian Air Force[1]
 Yugoslavia
  • Yugoslav Air Force[1]
    • 461st Light Combat Aviation Squadron (1977–1988) **462nd Light Combat Aviation Squadron (1977–1981) **252nd Fighter-Bomber Aviation Squadron (1981–1992)

Aircraft on display

Serbia
  • Museum of Aviation (Belgrade) in Belgrade

A number of Utva 66 including Utva 66H are on display. [1]

Specifications (Utva 66)

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1971–72.[2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity:
    • 3 passengers or
    • 2 stretchers
  • Length: 8.38 m (27 ft 6 in)
  • Wingspan: 11.4 m (37 ft 5 in)
  • Height: 3.20 m (10 ft 6 in)
  • Wing area: 18.08 m2 (194.6 sq ft)
  • Airfoil: NACA 4412 (modified)
  • Empty weight: 1,250 kg (2,756 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 1,814 kg (3,999 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 250 L (55 imp gal; 66 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming GSO-480-B1J6 air-cooled flat-six engine, 200 kW (270 hp) [3]

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 250 km/h (160 mph, 130 kn) at optimum height
  • Cruise speed: 230 km/h (140 mph, 120 kn) (max cruise)
  • Stall speed: 80 km/h (50 mph, 43 kn)
  • Never exceed speed: 320 km/h (200 mph, 170 kn)
  • Range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 6,700 m (22,000 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 4.50 m/s (885 ft/min)
  • Takeoff run to 15 m (50 ft): 352 m (1,155 ft)
  • Landing run from 15 m (50 ft): 181 m (594 ft)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Rendall 1996, p. 215.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Taylor 1971, pp. 472–473
  3. Fulton 1973, p. 104

Bibliography

Template:Utva aircraft Template:YAF aircraft