Czech manufacturer Aircraft Industries has started certification trials of its modernised Let L-410 19-seat commuter turboprop.
The aircraft – which among other new features has enhanced General Electric H85 engines, new avionics and a more spacious fuselage – is being presented by the manufacturer as the type's new generation, rather than its modification.
Following roll-out from the airframer's facility in Kunovice, the test example conducted a maiden flight on 29 July. This confirmed all systems' functionality, says Aircraft Industries.
Aircraft Industries
It intends to complete certification and begin L-410 NG serial production in 2017. A mock-up was recently displayed at a trade and industry show in Russia's Ekaterinburg, hometown of UGMK, which solely owns the Czech airframer.
Ekaterinburg's regional administration showed an interest in acquiring a batch of L-410 NGs and deploying them on subsidised routes within the region.
UGMK special projects chief Timur Azerny says the company has already supplied 45 turboprops to Russian customers since 2008, when it took control of Aircraft Industries.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
