Utva 66

{{Infobox aircraft begin

|name = Utva-66

|image = BAM-52-Utva 66H V-52.jpg

|caption = Utva-66 on display in the Museum of Aviation

}}{{Infobox aircraft type

|type = Military Training Aircraft/General Aviation Aircraft

|manufacturer = UTVA

|designer = UTVA

|first flight = 1966

|introduced =

|retired =

|number built = 130

|status = Retired

|unit cost =

|variants with their own articles =

|primary user =

|more users =

}}

The UTVA-66, is a STOL light utility / liaison aircraft produced in the former Yugoslavia. A development of the UTVA-56, it first flew in 1966 and was intended largely for use by the Yugoslav military.

Description

The UTVA-66 derived from the UTVA-56, featuring fixed leading-edge slats and a larger tail.{{sfn|Rendall|1996|page=215}}

The aircraft was designed to operate from unprepared fields. Its STOL characteristics include leading edge fixed slats, flaps and drooping ailerons. The cockpit is equipped with dual flight controls. The right front and rear seats in the older version of the aircraft could be removed to accommodate two stretchers.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}} The 66H ("Hidro") variant replaced the fixed landing gear with pontoon floats for operation from bodies of water;{{sfn|Rendall|1996|page=215}} these could be exchanged for snow skis.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

Operational usage

File:UTVA 66 C-GDLV Chilliwack BC 04.08R.jpg

130 UTVA-66 aircraft were manufactured.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

During the Yugoslav Wars some aircraft fell into Slovenian and Croatian hands.{{sfn|Rendall|1996|page=215}} The last operational aircraft were withdrawn from military service in 1999.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

Subsequently, a number were sold to Canada and the United States of America where they were converted for civilian use as rugged utility aircraft.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

Variants

66AM − Air ambulance version.{{sfn|Rendall|1996|page=215}}
66H − Floatplane version.{{sfn|Rendall|1996|page=215}}
66V − Armed variant with provisions for underwing armament.{{sfn|Rendall|1996|page=215}}

Former military operators

File:Hydroutva.JPG

File:Utva 66.jpg

;{{flag|Bosnia and Herzegovina}}

Bosnian Air Force{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

;{{CRO}}

Croatian Air Force{{sfn|Rendall|1996|page=215}}

;{{flag|North Macedonia}}

North Macedonia Air Brigade{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

;{{flag|Republika Srpska}}

Republika Srpska Air Force{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}
92nd Light Multi role Aircraft Squadron

;{{SLO}}

Slovenian Air Force{{sfn|Rendall|1996|page=215}}

;{{YUG}}

Yugoslav Air Force{{sfn|Rendall|1996|page=215}}
461st Light Combat Aviation Squadron (1977–1988){{citation needed|date=January 2025}}
462nd Light Combat Aviation Squadron (1977–1981){{citation needed|date=January 2025}}
252nd Fighter-Bomber Aviation Squadron (1981–1992){{citation needed|date=January 2025}}
Letalski center Maribor (Civil operator) (1989–2003){{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

Aircraft on display

;Serbia

Museum of Aviation (Belgrade) in Belgrade

A number of Utva 66 including Utva 66H are on display.

[http://www.aviationmuseum.eu/World/Europe/Serbia/Belgrade/Muzej_Ratnog_Vazduhoplovstva.htm]

Specifications (Utva 66)

{{Aircraft specs

|ref=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1971–72.{{Harvnb|Taylor|1971|pp=472–473}}

|prime units?=met

|genhide=

|crew=1

|capacity=

3 passengers or
2 stretchers

|length m=8.38

|length ft=

|length in=

|span m=11.4

|span ft=37

|span in=5

|height m=3.20

|height ft=

|height in=

|wing area sqm=18.08

|wing area sqft=

|airfoil=NACA 4412 (modified)

|empty weight kg=1250

|empty weight lb=

|max takeoff weight kg=1814

|gross weight lb=

|fuel capacity={{convert|250|L|impgal USgal|abbr=on}}

|eng1 number=1

|eng1 name=Lycoming GSO-480-B1J6

|eng1 type=air-cooled flat-six engine

|eng1 kw=

|eng1 hp=270

|eng1 shp=

|eng1 kn=

|eng1 lbf=

|eng1 kn-ab=

|eng1 lbf-ab=

|eng1 note={{Harvnb|Fulton|1973|p=104}}

|prop blade number=

|prop name=

|prop dia m=

|prop dia ft=

|prop dia in=

|perfhide=

|max speed kmh=250

|max speed mph=

|max speed kts=

|max speed note=at optimum height

|cruise speed kmh=230

|cruise speed mph=

|cruise speed note= (max cruise)

|stall speed kmh=80

|never exceed speed kmh=320

|range km=750

|range miles=

|range nmi=

|ceiling m=6700

|ceiling ft=

|climb rate ms=

|climb rate ftmin=885

|more performance=*Takeoff run to 15 m (50 ft): {{convert|352|m|ft|abbr=on}}

Landing run from 15 m (50 ft): {{convert|181|m|ft|abbr=on}}

|avionics=

}}

References

=Bibliography=

{{cite magazine |last=Fulton |first=Ken |title=Piston Engine Survey |magazine=Flight International |date=19 July 1973 |volume=104 |issue=3358 |pages=98–106 |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1973/1973%20-%201953.html }}
{{cite book |editor1-last=Rendall |editor1-first=David Alexander |title=Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide |date=1996 |publisher=HarperCollins |location=Glasglow |isbn=978-0-00-470980-2}}
{{cite book |editor-last=Taylor |editor-first= John W. R. |editor-link=John W. R. Taylor |title=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1971-72 |year=1971 |location=London|publisher=Sampson Low |isbn=0-354-00094-2 }}