Evektor EV-55 Outback

EV-55 Outback
EV-55 prototype (2011)
Role Twin-engined utility aircraft
National origin Czech Republic
Manufacturer Evektor-Aerotechnik
First flight 24 June 2011
Status Development suspended (March 2017)
Number built 2 + 1 for static testing[1]

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

  1. ^ a b c d Murdo Morrison (14 June 2016). "Can the Evektor EV-55 stay the course?". Flight International.
  2. ^ Pope, Stephen (29 June 2011). "Evektor EV-55 Makes First Flight". Flying. p. 20.
  3. ^ a b "Project information". Evektor-Aerotechnik. June 2011. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
  4. ^ "SmartDeck panel added to Evektor's new turboprop twin". AOPA. 5 March 2012.
  5. ^ a b "Evektor flies first production-conforming EV-55". Flying. 14 April 2016.
  6. ^ "EV-55 Outback project information" (Press release). Evektor. 16 March 2017. Archived from the original on 11 October 2017. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  7. ^ Dr. Gerd Berchtold (4 December 2018). "EVE-55 - The Future Strategy of Evektor" (PDF). Evektor Group.
  8. ^ "EV-55 Outback : Technical Specification". Evektor-Aerotechnik.
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