The Czech Republic has a long and rich history of Sport Aviation Manufacturing!
The Czech Republic is located in the heart of Europe. Even though it was occupied by foreign armies for several years, it never lost its Western European outlook and lifestyle. The dreams of the people in the newest member of NATO are the same as all other Western European countries - including flying!
History first records aviators in the Czech lands several centuries ago. The first recorded flight in the Czech Kingdom was in a hot-air balloon in the year 1784.
In the 19th century many individuals experimented with gliders, most without success. The most famous was a “Samolet Český” aircraft built by Vaclav Kadeřávek in1866.
By 1910, Czech pilots were qualifying for the prestigious FAI “Pilot Registration”. The first pilot who became well known was Jan Kašpar, who made his first flight April 16, 1910 in his own aircraft design. (Left)
During those years, other pilots built their own designs that were similar to the Bleriot or Demoiselle. Many other individuals were passionate about flying, too. The best original design before WW I was the Rapid plane from Eugen Čihák, which was a true sport plane with very good flying characteristics. The first Czech woman pilot, Božena Láglerov
á qualified for a pilot license in 1912, in a plane called the Grade. The first flying club in the country was established in Pardubice in 1911, and the Czech Aero club in 1914.
After World War I
In 1918, a new Republic was proclaimed in the Czech lands. Almost immediately, Czech aircraft manufacturing became a major influence on European aviation. One of the first firms was located at Kbely and was named "Letov". Aircraft with names and trade marks like Aero and Avia became famous at home and abroad in only a few years. The first mass produced aircraft of completely Czech design was the biplane Šm1 (1920) by Alois Šmolík, Letov's chief designer . Additional completely Czech designed and built aircraft were produced by Aero, Avia, Beneš-Mráz Choceň, Zlin Aircraft Company, and other companies. (Zlin is now a part of the Baťa industry group. Did you know, Baťa and Budwieser are old Czech trademarks?). Aircraft engines from the Walter company, still building engines in Prague, were used in most of these aircraft.
Many different types of aircraft were successfully exported, and some of the designs were so successful that they resulted in winning aerobatics competitions. Aeronautical exhibitions and fame brought the start of regular air transport, and the establishment of the oldest specialized aviation magazine on the European continent.
Fast recovery after WW II
World War II interrupted all major aviation activities, as the Czech aviation industry was pressed into service supplying the Nazi War effort. The Nazis forced their own designs on the Czechs. Development of Czech designs was halted, but these years brought new experiences with the latest technology at the time. This experience and knowledge was used after the war for new Czech designs. After 1945 the Czechoslovak aeronautical industry was nationalized and recovered very quickly from the shortages and problems brought on by the war. The main aeronautical companies were integrated into an industrial group.
Two new companies, which very quickly became the leading Czechoslovak aircraft manufacturers, were established in the 1950’s. They were Aero Vodochody and Let Kunovice. During the 1950’s and 1960’s Czech firms produced hundreds of Avia S199 (redesigned Me109), Yak-11 and thousands of MiG15 and MiG21 fighters for Eastern European nations. The Czech aviation industry focused its efforts on four major production programs – jet trainers, commuter airliners, agricultural aircraft and sport aircraft and gliders.
World’s leading manufacturer of Jet Trainers
1950’s saw the development of the Czech jet trainer Aero L-29 Delfín. This aircraft became a standard jet trainer in the Warsaw Treaty member countries, and has been produced both in Let Kunovice and Aero Vodochody. The total production was stopped at the incredible number of 3,665 units. Its successor Aero L-39 Albatross was almost as popular, and the current number of units produced totals more than 2,800.
The newest members of this jet family, the Aero L-59, the L139 and the L159 Alca are offered for sale all over the world. The final assembly of all these aircraft is accomplished at Aero Vodochody, in Prague.
Aero Vodochody is the world's leading manufacturer of jet trainers, in terms of numbers of units. This fact was kept secret for dozens of years, and now it can often be a surprise to experts all over the world.
Small Transport Aircraft – Symbol of reliability and safety
After WWII, the production of General Aviation type aircraft was accelerated. The first types were Aero Ae-45, Meta-Sokol, followed by Aero Ae-145 and Let L-200 Morava. All these aircraft were exported to many countries. A number of these aircraft are still flying today. At the end of the 1960’s the new commuter L-410 Turbolet with 19 seats was launched in Let Kunovice. The aircraft (continuously updated) is still in production. More than 1000 units of the L-410 were produced. The aircraft flew reliably in extreme climatic conditions of hot Middle Asian deserts as well as in the ever-cold Siberian regions, often under minimal maintenance and rough handling.
A reputation of 30 years of operation without any accident caused by a technical failure doesn't need any further comment. The experience gained in extreme operational conditions was used to design and produce the new forty-seat L-610G. This aircraft represents a remarkable program of international co-operation because subcontractors from USA, Great Britain, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and other countries are all participating in the production of this state of the art commuter airliner, newly certificated in the United States.
Dozens of medals from international sport events
Over the years, all manufacturers encouraged frequent participation in international competition. This was looked upon as good advertising and public relations. The popularity of individual models was taken as approval of the manufacturer and its design capability. Czechoslovak pilots flying Czech built aircraft have been winning international competitions since 1923. During the 1930’s and 1940’s, Czech pilots in planes such as the Avia B-534, B-122 and B-422 gave unforgettable performances. Before WWII the Czech Army Aerobatics Team won a championship in the Avia BH 534, against German competition of the new Messershmitt Bf 109.
Just after WWII the Zlin Trener, was produced in Moravan Otrokovice. Czech pilots won the first FAI world aerobatics championship in 1960 in Treners, which became known as the best aerobatic airplane in the world for a decade. Many Treners are still flying after more than thirty years. The Zlin Z-50 aerobatic aircraft was to become the accepted aerobatic world leader from 1976 through the end of the 1980’s. The Zlin Z-50 has seen four world championship titles since beginning production.
Agricultural Aircraft
The Z-37 Čmelák (Bumble Bee), developed and produced by LET and Zlin Aircraft factories, delivered 739 units. Production continues with the turboprop version Z-137, powered by the Czech turboprop Walter M-601 engine.
Helicopters
Chief designer Šlechta produced original light helicopter designs called the HC-2 Heli Baby and HC-3, but manufacturing of helicopters in our country was stopped at the direction of the communist system.
Sport Aircraft
A small country such as former Czechoslovakia and now still smaller Czech Republic cannot produce aircraft only for its own needs. To be practical, It has to export and sell them. Even in the 1920’s, aircraft were exported to several European countries. In the last few years, literally thousands of aircraft were exported to all countries of the East European block. But they were not the only customers. Sport aircraft were exported all over the world; such as the Aero E-114 "Air Baby", Ae-45 and 145, Let L-200 "Morava", L-40 "Meta Sokol". Hundreds of famous aerobatic Zlin Treners, and the most famous school-glider the Let L-13 "Blaník", with a production run of over three thousand units, were shipped everywhere, from Australia to South America.
Current Situation
The Czech aeronautical industry was extremely influenced by several negative factors at the end of the 1980’s. The collapse of the East European market, combined with the world recession reduced the production of all aircraft manufacturers. The change of domestic economic conditions due to the fall of communism contributed to a reduction of employees in all state owned companies by 25%.
Now, democratic market reforms have paved the way for recovery. New aircraft are in mass production, and international co-operation programs have brought positive results. Several Czech companies have allied themselves with the most important of the world's aircraft manufacturers. Aero Vodochody has signed agreements with Boeing, and contracts for the L-39, L-59 and L-159 aircraft are worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
The U. S. based Ayres corporation acquired controlling interest in Let Kunovice, which produces the Loadmaster. Resumed production and new versions are planned for all LET airplanes including the L-420E, L610G, L-23, L-33 and L-13AC aerobatic glider. Walter-Motorlet Prague is producing parts for several foreign manufacturers, and the joint venture Avia-Hamilton Standard competes with the worlds leading propeller manufacturers.
The trend continues...
