Czech Aircraft manufacturer Evektor has secured memorandums of understanding from two Malaysian companies for the purchase of four EV-55 Outbacks.
Deliveries of the twin-engined turboprops are scheduled to start in 2017 to Senai Airport Terminal Services and APFT Services. SATS use its two high-wing, all-metal types for air taxi operations, connecting the islands of Pangkor, Tioman, Redang and Langkawi.
APFT’s EV-55 duo will be also be used for commercial operations.
Evektor was acquired last year by Malaysian company Aspirasi Pertiwi, throwing a much-needed lifeline to the EV-55 programme, which was launched in 2005. A funding shortfall slowed its development significantly, but Aspirasi has committed a significant tranche of investment to bring the 800nm (1,480km)-range aircraft to market and establish a sales and service network to support the fleet.
The Kunovice-based airframer says it recently submitted its application with EASA and is working towards CS-23 certification of the nine to 14-seat utility aircraft programme.
The first EV-55 prototype (MSN001) made its maiden sortie in 2011 and has logged over 220h to date. The production-conforming aircraft is now being assembled and is scheduled to join the flight test programme in the third quarter.
Powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-21 engines, the EV-55 is Evektor’s first foray into the business and utility aircraft market. The manufacturer says its objective with the EV-55 is to replace the huge fleets of “obsolete” six- to nine-seat piston twins – including Cessna 402/404s – and be a “successful competitor” to its single-engined rivals, such as the Pilatus PC-12NG and the Cessna Caravan.
Source: Flight International
