Aero L-60 Brigadýr

The Aero L-60 Brigadýr (Czech: Brigadier) was a small, high-wing propeller-driven Czechoslovakian STOL utility aircraft developed for both civil and military use. A prototype, designated XL-60, with Argus As 10C engine, first flew on December 24, 1953, but it was not successful. The plane was thoroughly redesigned and the second improved prototype, with M-208B flat-six engine, flew on June 8, 1954. The aircraft's configuration bears a strong resemblance to the Fieseler Fi 156 "Storch" licence-produced in Czechoslovakia during and after World War II (as K-65 Čáp), and which this aircraft was intended to replace. By the end of production in 1960, 273 had been built by Aero, including an improved version, the L-160 with an all-metal tail.

L-60 Brigadýr
L60 as air ambulance at the Polish Aviation Museum
Role Utility aircraft
Manufacturer Aero
First flight 24 December 1953
Primary user Czechoslovakian aviation
Produced 273

Aircraft retrofitted with a PZL-built Ivchenko AI-14R radial engine are known as the L-60S.

Variants
  • XL-60 : Prototype.
  • L-60 : Single-engined light utility transport, observation aircraft.
  • L-60A : 50 production aircraft for the Czech Air Force. Also known as the K-60. Armed with MG-15 7.92 mm machine gun in a rear cab. First flew on June 24, 1955.
  • L-60B : Agricultural crop spraying aircraft (300 L chemicals tank).
  • L-60D : Glider tug aircraft.
  • L-60E :Air ambulance aircraft.
  • L-60F : Glider tug aircraft.
  • L-60S : Aircraft fitted with the PZL-built 260-hp Ivchenko AI-14R radial piston engine.
  • L-60SF : Fitted with the M-462RF radial piston engine.
  • L-160 : Improved version with all-metal tail.

Operators

Civil operators
 Argentina
 Austria
 Bulgaria
 Cuba
 Czechoslovakia
 East Germany
 Hungary
  • MÉM Flight Service used 2 L-60 (registered: HA-BRA, HA-BRB) from 1959 for short period.[1]
 New Zealand
 People's Republic of China
 Poland
 Romania
Sri Lanka[2]
 Soviet Union
 United Arab Emirates
 Yugoslavia

[3]

Military operators
 Czechoslovakia
 East Germany

Specifications (L-60)
Aero L-60S aerotows historical gliders

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1961–62[4]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 3 passengers
  • Length: 8.54 m (28 ft 0 in)
  • Wingspan: 13.96 m (45 ft 10 in)
  • Height: 2.72 m (8 ft 11 in)
  • Wing area: 24.30 m2 (261.6 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 8.07:1
  • Airfoil: NACA 4412
  • Empty weight: 968 kg (2,134 lb)
  • Gross weight: 1,460 kg (3,219 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 1,560 kg (3,439 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 200 L (53 US gal; 44 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Praga Doris M 208-B air-cooled flat-six engine, 140 kW (190 hp)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed Type V-411 wooden controllable pitch, 2.70 m (8 ft 10 in) diameter

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 193 km/h (120 mph, 104 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 175 km/h (109 mph, 94 kn) at sea level
  • Stall speed: 52 km/h (32 mph, 28 kn)
  • Range: 720 km (450 mi, 390 nmi) at 1,000 m (3,300 ft)
  • Service ceiling: 4,200 m (13,800 ft)
  • Time to altitude:
    • 4.3 min to 1,000 m (3,300 ft)
    • 17.5 min to 3,000 m (9,800 ft)
  • Takeoff run to 15 m (50 ft): 240 m (787 ft) (on grass)
  • Landing run from 15 m (50 ft): 195 m (640 ft)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References
Notes
  1. Moldova György: Égi szekér, Magvető Könyvkiadó, 1982, ISBN 963-271-750-3
  2. Fernando, GA (Capt), "The Brigadyr Aircraft of the Irrigation Department", The Island, 25 April 2020
  3. Krzyżan, Marian, Samoloty w muzeach polskich, Warsaw: Wydawnictwa Komunikacji i Łączności, 1983, ISBN 978-83-206-0432-0
  4. Taylor 1961, p. 35.
Bibliography
  • Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1961–62. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, 1961.
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