AeroBD | The AERO news Company…: Evektor-Aerotechnik’s first production-conforming EV-55 Outback turboprop made its first flight on April 8 from the Czech aircraft manufacturer’s facility at Kunovice Airport, which is also home to airframers Czech Sport Aircraft and Let Kunovice. The twin-engined Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-2-powered aircraft took a 20min flight that “went according to plan”, says Evektor-Aerotechnik.

This aircraft will be used for systems testing and performance envelope and flight characteristics testing. The first test article, MSN1, first flew in 2011 and since then has logged over 370 hours in the air. The second prototype is a ground test article, which, having completed load testing, is now undergoing stress tests. The EV-55’s development began in 2005 and was the piston-engined aircraft developer’s entrance into the markets for business and utility aircraft.

Reportedly, funding shortages have delayed development of the 9- to 14-seat aircraft, which was scheduled to enter service in 2013. Evektor has not released details of the orderbook or the timetable for the EV-55’s certification. Plans call for the high-wing, aluminum aircraft to be offered for VIP, high-density passenger, cargo and utility use, and as an amphibious version. The supplier for the anticipated glass cockpit has not been chosen so, for now, a “classic” cockpit with a “combination of analogue and digital instruments” is being used.