Evektor to promote twin turboprop at Oshkosh as contractor selection issues push back first flight by six months
Development and first flight of the Evektor EV-55 utility twin turboprop has slipped by around six months. The Czech Republic-based company blames the delay on the lengthy process of selecting suppliers for the aircraft, 80% of which – apart from the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A21 turboprops – will be supplied by Czech Republic-based companies.
Meanwhile, Evektor is preparing to promote the aircraft at the AirVenture show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Evektor deputy director and EV-55 chief designer Petr Šterba says that the first flight of the aircraft is set for the second half of 2007, while certification and first deliveries will be in “early 2009”, or six months later than previously planned (Flight International, 30 November–6 December 2004).
Šterba says funding for the programme, which is expected to cost around CKr1 billion ($40 million), is agreed, with around 35% coming from the Czech government and the rest from Evektor, which he says aims to establish itself as the “primary European manufacturer of all-metal general aviation aircraft, spanning light singles to turboprop twins”.
EV-55 activity currently centres on a product development review and production of a digital model of the aircraft. “We expect to start production of the prototype in two months,” says Šterba. He says there is “considerable interest” from potential customers, who are being offered the EV-55 basic for $1.7 million.
A decision on avionics and the glass cockpit is pending, with Garmin and Honeywell in the running. Šterba says the market is “very positive” about the Garmin G1000, but adds “we haven’t decided yet”.
At Oshkosh, the EV-55 is being pushed as a rival to utility singles such as the Pilatus PC-12. An amphibious version is planned. Two variants are being offered, a transport version seating nine passengers and a cargo version with a payload of 1,451kg (3,200lb) and 740km (400nm) range.
Evektor also produces the EV-97 EuroStar two-seater ultralight, the SportStar light sport aircraft and the Cobra single-engined four-seat aircraft.
JULIAN MOXON/LONDON
Source: Flight International
