12/28/1988: First Flight of the Let L-610
Designed as a replacement for the Antonov An-24, the L-610 failed to match the success of its smaller sibling.
Designed as a replacement for the Antonov An-24, the L-610 failed to match the success of its smaller sibling.
DALLAS — The Let L-610 prototype aircraft made its first flight in 1988 after the completion of its Czech-built Walter M602 turboprop engines, which had a power output of 1,358 kW (1,822 hp).
Let Kunovice, or Let Aircraft Industries, intended to manufacture the aircraft from 1988 to 1997. The manufacturer produced eight prototypes for the L-610, with six for flying tests and two for structural tests.
However, despite its development, the L-610 did not achieve the same level of success as Let's most popular design, the L-410 Turbolet. The L-410 Turbolet has seen the production of over 1,200 units.
The Soviet airline Aeroflot (SU) requested that Let build a replacement for the Antonov An-24 aircraft in the late 1970s, following the success of the Let L-410 twin-engine turboprop.
The L-610 was planned as such. It had a seating capacity of 40 people, over 20 more than its smaller counterpart. Because engine development took longer than airframe development, flight testing was postponed.
Although one aircraft was displayed in SU insignia during the Paris Air Show in the 1990s, no aircraft were delivered to a commercial customer. The Czech Air Force received one Let 610M to help with the manufacturer's certification and test flights.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Let attempted to westernize the plane to broaden its appeal. The result was the L-610G, a new type with General Electric CT7 engines, Rockwell Collins Pro Line II digital EFIS, weather radar, and autopilot.
Featured Image: Czech Republic Air Force Let L-610. Photo: Aldo Bidini (GFDL 1.2 or 1.2), via Wikimedia Commons
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