Utva 66

Utva-66
Utva-66 on display in the Museum of Aviation
Role	Military Training Aircraft/General Aviation Aircraft
Manufacturer	UTVA
Designer	UTVA
First flight	1966
Status	Retired
Number built	130

The UTVA-66, is a STOL light utility / 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. ^[1]

Description

The UTVA-66 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 leading edge fixed slats, flaps and drooping ailerons. ^[3] The cockpit is equipped with dual flight controls. The right front and rear seats in the older version of the aircraft could be removed to accommodate two stretchers.^{[ citation needed ]} The 66H ("Hidro") variant replaced the fixed landing gear with pontoon floats for operation from bodies of water; ^[2] these could be exchanged for snow skis.^{[ citation needed ]}

Operational usage

Civilian UTVA-66 in Canada in 2008

130 UTVA-66 aircraft were manufactured.^{[ citation needed ]}

During the Yugoslav Wars some aircraft fell into Slovenian and Croatian hands. ^[2] The last operational aircraft were withdrawn from military service in 1999.^{[ citation needed ]}

Subsequently, a number were sold to Canada and the United States of America where they were converted for civilian use as rugged utility aircraft.^{[ citation needed ]}

Variants

• 66AM − Air ambulance version. ^[2]
• 66H − Floatplane version. ^[2]
• 66V − Armed variant with provisions for underwing armament. ^[2]

Former military operators

Utva 66 Hydro

Utva 66 with floats.

  Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Bosnian Air Force ^{[ citation needed ]}

  Croatia

• Croatian Air Force ^[2]

  North Macedonia

• North Macedonia Air Brigade ^{[ citation needed ]}

  Republika Srpska

• Republika Srpska Air Force ^{[ citation needed ]}
  • 92nd Light Multi role Aircraft Squadron

  Slovenia

• Slovenian Air Force ^[2]

  Yugoslavia

• Yugoslav Air Force ^[2]
  • 461st Light Combat Aviation Squadron (1977–1988)^{[ citation needed ]}
  • 462nd Light Combat Aviation Squadron (1977–1981)^{[ citation needed ]}
  • 252nd Fighter-Bomber Aviation Squadron (1981–1992)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Letalski center Maribor (Civil operator) (1989–2003)^{[ citation needed ]}

Aircraft on display

Serbia

• Museum of Aviation (Belgrade) in Belgrade

A number of Utva 66 including Utva 66H are on display.

Specifications (Utva 66)

Data fromJane'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) ^[4]

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

• Aviation portal

• UTVA 75

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Aermacchi AM.3
• SIAI-Marchetti SM.1019
• UTVA-60

References

1. "UTVA 66".
2. Rendall 1996, p. 215.
3. Taylor 1971, pp. 472–473
4. Fulton 1973, p. 104

Bibliography

• Fulton, Ken (19 July 1973). "Piston Engine Survey". Flight International . Vol. 104, no. 3358. pp. 98–106.
• Rendall, David Alexander, ed. (1996). Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide. Glasglow: HarperCollins. ISBN   978-0-00-470980-2.
• Taylor, John W. R., ed. (1971). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1971-72. London: Sampson Low. ISBN   0-354-00094-2.

External links

• General characteristics for Utva-66