Utva 66

{{Infobox aircraft | name = UTVA-66 | logo = | logo_size = | image = BAM-52-Utva 66H V-52.jpg | alt = | caption = UTVA-66 on display in the Museum of Aviation | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = STOL light utility and liaison aircraft | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = Yugoslavia | manufacturer = UTVA | design_group = | designer = UTVA | builder = | issuer = | status = Retired | owners = | primary_user = Yugoslav Air Force | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = About 130<ref name="UTVA-history" /> | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = | retired = | first_flight = 1966 | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = UTVA-56 | variants = UTVA-66AM, UTVA-66H, UTVA-66V | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }}

The '''UTVA-66''' is a STOL light utility and 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 was 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 fixed leading-edge slats, flaps and drooping ailerons.<ref name="jawa71p472-3" /> The cockpit is equipped with dual flight controls.<ref name="UTVA-history">{{cite web |title=About us |url=https://utva-avio.com/about-us/ |website=UTVA AVIO D.O.O. |access-date=1 June 2026}}</ref> In the ambulance version, the front right seat and rear seats could be removed to accommodate two stretchers.<ref name="UTVA-history" /> The 66H ("''Hidro''") variant replaced the fixed landing gear with pontoon floats for operation from bodies of water;{{sfn|Rendall|1996|page=215}} floats could also be exchanged for skis or wheels.<ref name="UTVA-history" />

==Operational usage== About 130 UTVA-66 aircraft were manufactured.<ref name="UTVA-history" />

During the Yugoslav Wars, some aircraft fell into Slovenian and Croatian hands.{{sfn|Rendall|1996|page=215}} The last examples were withdrawn from military service in 1999.<ref name="UTVA-history" />

A number of aircraft were exported or later appeared in civilian use outside the former Yugoslavia, including in Canada and the United States.<ref name="RedStar">{{cite web |title=UTVA-66 Short takeoff and landing aircraft |url=https://www.redstar.gr/en/other/world-aviation/fyrom-military-aerial-means/utva-66-short-takeoff-and-landing-aircraft.html |website=RedStar.gr |access-date=1 June 2026}}</ref>

==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== thumb|UTVA-66H thumb|UTVA-66 with floats

;{{flag|Bosnia and Herzegovina}}

* Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina{{sfn|Ripley|2013|page=81}}

;{{CRO}}

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

;{{flag|North Macedonia}}

* North Macedonia Air Brigade<ref name="RedStar" />

;{{flag|Republika Srpska}}

* Republika Srpska Air Force{{sfn|Ripley|2013|page=81}} ** 92nd Light Multi-role Squadron{{sfn|Ripley|2013|page=81}}

;{{SLO}}

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

;{{YUG}}

* Yugoslav Air Force{{sfn|Rendall|1996|page=215}}

==Aircraft on display== ;Serbia

* Museum of Aviation (Belgrade) in Belgrade – a number of UTVA-66 aircraft, including the UTVA-66H, are on display.<ref>{{cite web |title=Muzej Ratnog Vazduhoplovstva |url=http://www.aviationmuseum.eu/World/Europe/Serbia/Belgrade/Muzej_Ratnog_Vazduhoplovstva.htm |website=AviationMuseum.eu |access-date=1 June 2026}}</ref>

==Specifications (UTVA-66)== {{Aircraft specs |ref=''Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1971–72''.<ref name="jawa71p472-3">{{Harvnb|Taylor|1971|pp=472–473}}</ref> |prime units?=met

|genhide=

|crew=1 |capacity=<br /> ** 3 passengers ''or'' ** 2 stretchers |length m=8.38 |span m=11.4 |span ft=37 |span in=5 |height m=3.20 |wing area sqm=18.08 |airfoil=NACA 4412 (modified) |empty weight kg=1250 |max takeoff weight kg=1814 |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 hp=270 |eng1 note=<ref>{{Harvnb|Fulton|1973|p=104}}</ref>

|perfhide=

|max speed kmh=250 |max speed note=at optimum height |cruise speed kmh=230 |cruise speed note=max cruise |stall speed kmh=80 |never exceed speed kmh=320 |range km=750 |ceiling m=6700 |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= }}

==See also== {{Portal|Aviation}}

* UTVA 75

{{aircontent |see also= |related= |similar aircraft=

* Aermacchi AM.3 * SIAI-Marchetti SM.1019 * UTVA-60 |lists= }}

==References== {{reflist}}

===Bibliography=== {{refbegin}}

* {{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=Glasgow |isbn=978-0-00-470980-2}} * {{cite book |last1=Ripley |first1=Tim |title=Conflict in the Balkans 1991–2000 |date=2013 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |location=Oxford, United Kingdom |isbn=978-1-84603-748-1 |edition=PDF e-book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jkq1CwAAQBAJ |language=en |via=Google Books}} * {{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}} {{refend}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Utva-66}}

* [http://www.flugzeuginfo.net/acdata_php/acdata_utva66_en.php General characteristics for UTVA-66]

66 Category:1960s Yugoslav military trainer aircraft Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft Category:Aircraft first flown in 1966 Category:Glider tugs Category:STOL aircraft Category:High-wing aircraft