EV-55 Outback
EV-55 prototype (2011)
Role	Twin-engined utility aircraft Type of 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.

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]

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]

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

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• CASA C-212 Aviocar
• De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter
• Dornier 228
• Let L-410 Turbolet
• Tecnam P2012 Traveller
• PZL M28 Skytruck

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Evektor EV-55 Outback.

• Official website