Serbia's sole aircraft manufacturer, Utva Aircraft Industry, has started work on a structural modification programme for Balkan flight schools using its UTVA-75 (formally Ut-75A21) two-seat trainer. Seven aircraft belonging to the civilian launch customer, Belgrade-based Zrenjanin aeroclub, will each undergo modifications designed to strengthen the aircraft's centre section later this month.
The upgrade programme is designed to bring the UTVA-75 in line with European Civil Aviation Conference light aircraft regulations and combine all existing service bulletins on the side-by-side trainer.
The large-scale modification programme was developed for the former Yugoslav air force, which signed a rolling contract to modify its entire fleet of V53s last November. Modifications include a reworking of cabin door jettison controls, installation of a new exhaust collector with improved heat exchanger, and a strengthening of the aircraft's main gear leg and centre wing section.
The low-wing, all-metal aircraft, which entered production in 1976, was originally designed to meet US Federal Aviation Regulations Part 23, but work had fallen behind, says the company. Utva has customers in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Jordan, Macedonia, Slovenia, Serbia and Montenegro and the USA. Work will be carried out in Utva's facilities in Pancevo, Serbia.
Utva hopes to launch a new civilian variant of the aircraft in future, replacing the 134kW (180hp) Textron Lycoming IO-360-B1F engine with larger powerplants. The sole prototype of the Utva-75R, which also featured reduced cabin noise and new instrument panel, was destroyed in NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999. The company has also completed design work on its UTVA-96 four-seat light sport aircraft.
Source: Flight International
