LUBOMÍR SEDLÁK / PRAGUE
The new Zlín 400 aircraft, manufactured jointly by Moravan Aeroplanes and Letecké Závody, made its first flight late last month. The aircraft is on course to enter serial production next year and the company is studying amphibian versions.
Development costs of the eight-seat utility aircraft were only $3 million, including the acquisition of the design rights of the Technoavia SM-92 Finist, on which the aircraft is based, from Russian designer Vyatcheslav Kondryatev.
The aircraft's launch customer, an unnamed Canadian oil company, has financed around one-third of the development costs. The aircraft will now start the certification process, which is likely to cost more than the development, says Letecké Závody vice-chairman Tomás Stefánek.
Production will start next month in the Czech towns of Otrokovice and Kunovice. Fifteen Czech subcontractors will participate. The Orenda Recip OE600 450kW (600hp) V8 piston engine and avionics will be the only non-Czech parts.
The company aims to produce 50 aircraft a year, with the first year's output going almost entirely to Canada, but customers from Brazil and the USA have expressed interest in the aircraft. The basic version of the Zlín 400 will cost $500,000-700,000.
Source: Flight International
