Utility aircraft
| EV-55 Outback
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| EV-55 prototype (2011)
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| Role
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Twin-engined utility aircraft Type of aircraft
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| National origin
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Czech Republic
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| Manufacturer
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Evektor-Aerotechnik
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| First flight
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24 June 2011
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| Status
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Development suspended (March 2017)
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| Number built
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2 + 1 for static testing[1]
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The Evektor EV-55 Outback is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft designed and built in the Czech Republic by Evektor-Aerotechnik. The prototype first flew on 24 June 2011.[2][3] The project's development was suspended in March 2017.
Development
In 2004 the company announced its plan to design and construct a two-engined utility aircraft that would carry up to 14 passengers or 4000 lb (1800 kg) of cargo, and operate from unimproved fields and at high-altitude airports.
The first prototype, an EV-55M (military version), flew from Kunovice Airport in June 2011, with company pilot Josef Charvat and military pilot Maj. Jiri Hana at the controls.[3]
It was estimated at $2.1 to $2.2 million in 2012.[4]
The first production-conforming aircraft flew from Kunovice in April 2016.[5]
In June 2018, its price was $4 million and two aircraft should finish development flights with 200 hours in 2016, for 500 total hours.
Evektor secured enough investment to complete the certification process scheduled for 2017, with a minority investment from a Malaysian company backed by the country's former premier Mahathir Mohamad, but not to begin full production.[1]
The project's development was suspended on 16 March 2017 due to "some uncertainties" with Evektor's Malaysian investor.[6]
By December 2018, it was touted as a basis for an EVE-55 hybrid electric aircraft conversion to fly in 2020, with only one PT6A-21 running a 400 kW (540 hp) generator in the rear compartment, for much lower noise, an 18% fuel saving and the same payload and performance: a 3 hours endurance and 40 minutes from electric power only.[7]
Design
The EV-55 is of conventional high-wing utility design with a T-tail. The prototype aircraft is powered by Pratt & Whitney PT6A-21 turboprop engines (535 shaft horsepower), driving four-blade propellers. The wing is mounted atop a nearly-square fuselage, which has five windows per side. The trailing-link tricycle landing gear retracts into the nose section or pods on the lower fuselage. Expected maximum cruise speed is 220 knots (407 km/h).[5]
With nine passengers, range is 800nm (1,480km), it can take-off in 410m and land in 520m and with more speed, range and short take-off and landing capability, it can replace ageing piston-twins like the Cessna 421 and Britten-Norman Islander, or the smaller Cessna Caravan single turboprop when the payload-range of a larger turboprop such as the L-410 or Viking Twin Otter is not needed.
The less expensive, unpressurised EV-55 won't compete with the Pilatus PC-12 or Beechcraft King Air. [1]
The 5.02m x 1.61m cabin standard layout is five and four seats with a cargo compartment separated by a semi bulkhead and a L-410 sized double door at the rear.
It is equipped with a full glass cockpit, Czech firm Avia makes the four-blade propellers and Aero Vodochody the landing gear.[1]
Specifications (EV-55)
Data from Evektor.[8]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Capacity: 1 776 kg / 3 915 lb payload, 9 pax (14 if regulation allowed)
- Length: 14.35 m (47 ft 1 in)
- Wingspan: 16.10 m (52.82 ft)
- Height: 4.66 m (15.28 ft)
- Empty weight: 2,597 kg (5,725 lb) , cargo, passengers: 2,658kg / 5,860lb
- Max takeoff weight: 4,600 kg (10,141 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 1,656 kg (3,651 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-21 turboprop, 399 kW (535 hp) each
- Propellers: 4-bladed AVIA AV-844, 2.082 m (6 ft 10 in) diameter constant speed
Performance
- Maximum speed: 410 km/h (250 mph, 220 kn) at 10,000 ft
- Stall speed: 119 km/h (74 mph, 64 kn) with flaps, 77 kn without
- Range: 1,713 km (1,064 mi, 925 nmi) , 2,000 lb (907 kg) payload
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References
External links
