Engineering:Utva 66

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Short description: Yugoslav light utility aircraft


UTVA-66
UTVA-66 on display in the Museum of Aviation
General information
TypeSTOL light utility and liaison aircraft
National originYugoslavia
ManufacturerUTVA
Designer
UTVA
Management and usageYugoslav Air Force
Number builtAbout 130[1]
History
First flight1966
Developed fromUTVA-56

The UTVA-66 is a STOL light utility and 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 was derived from the UTVA-56, featuring fixed leading-edge slats and a larger tail.[2]

The aircraft was designed to operate from unprepared fields. Its STOL characteristics include fixed leading-edge slats, flaps and drooping ailerons.[3] The cockpit is equipped with dual flight controls.[1] In the ambulance version, the front right seat and rear seats could be removed to accommodate two stretchers.[1] The 66H ("Hidro") variant replaced the fixed landing gear with pontoon floats for operation from bodies of water;[2] floats could also be exchanged for skis or wheels.[1]

Operational usage

About 130 UTVA-66 aircraft were manufactured.[1]

During the Yugoslav Wars, some aircraft fell into Slovenian and Croatian hands.[2] The last examples were withdrawn from military service in 1999.[1]

A number of aircraft were exported or later appeared in civilian use outside the former Yugoslavia, including in Canada and the United States.[4]

Variants

  • 66AM – Air ambulance version.[2]
  • 66HFloatplane version.[2]
  • 66V – Armed variant with provisions for underwing armament.[2]

Former military operators

UTVA-66H
UTVA-66 with floats
 Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina[5]
 Croatia
  • Croatian Air Force[2]
 North Macedonia
  • North Macedonia Air Brigade[4]
 Republika Srpska
  • Republika Srpska Air Force[5]
 ** 92nd Light Multi-role Squadron[5]
 Slovenia
  • Slovenian Air Force[2]
 Yugoslavia
  • Yugoslav Air Force[2]

Aircraft on display

Serbia
  • Museum of Aviation (Belgrade) in Belgrade – a number of UTVA-66 aircraft, including the UTVA-66H, are on display.[6]

Specifications (UTVA-66)

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1971–72.[3]

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) [7]

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

Bibliography

Template:Utva aircraft Template:YAF aircraft