Aero L-60 Brigadýr
The Aero L-60 Brigadýr was a small, high-wing propeller-driven Czechoslovak 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, 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.
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.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
- Slov-Air
- MÉM Flight Service used 2 L-60 from 1959 for short period.
- Polish Air Ambulance Service used 3 L-60F in 1957–1974