ПЗЛ-104 «Вильга»: История польского самолета

Utility aircraft family by PZL Warszawa Okęcie built 1962 2006
{|Infobox aircraft type
|type = Utility aircraft
|national origin = Poland
|manufacturer = PZL Warszawa Okęcie
|designer =
|first flight = 24 April 1962
|introduced =
|retired =
|status = Production Ended
|primary user = Polish military and civilian aviation
|more users =
|produced = 1962 2006
|number built = 1,000+
|unit cost = $233,000 (2006) In January 1996, it was announced that PZL intended to offer an armed version of the Wilga, intended to perform border patrol and counter insurgency missions. The basic configuration of the aircraft was principally changed by the addition of a pair of under wing hardpoints capable of carrying gun pods, along with both unguided or guided rockets. In 1996, it was announced that PZL had developed an improved version of the aircraft, known as the PZL 104MA Wilga 2000. The Wilga 2000 family benefitted from various improvements, it adopted an American Lycoming O 540 engine, capable of generating a maximum of 225 kW (300 hp), along with an AlliedSignal Bendix avionics suite and a new wing, the latter of which offered increased fuel capacity and endurance, as well with aerodynamic refinements, such as fairings around the undercarriage. In May 2004, Canadian based company Sealand Aviation demonstrated an amphibious version of the Wilga 2000 in Anchorage. During July 1995, PZL and Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer signed a co operation agreement, involving the latter conducting the marketing of Polish general aviation aircraft such as the Wilga, in the Brazilian market in exchange for the sale of Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia regional airliners to Poland.

During September 2001, it was announced that Poland had finalised an agreement with the multinational aerospace conglomerate European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) to acquire 51 per cent of PZL Warszawa Okecie for 28.5 million zloty ($6.74 million), which later rose up to 85 per cent ownership of the company. At the time, EADS commented that it intended to market the company's current products, including the Wilga, as well as retaining the workforce at the current numbers and promising to finance the costs of modernising the Warsaw based manufacturer's facilities. According to Ignacio Alonso Recarte, senior vice president commercial for EADS CASA's military transport aircraft division, the firm was studying options for marketing PZL's existing aircraft. During 2003, negotiations were underway on the topic of creating an integrated light aircraft company between EADS CASA and EADS SOCATA, under which a combined market for general aviation and business aircraft was to incorporate EADS PZL's own range while the Polish factory would produce elements of all SOCATA built aircraft. In early 2004, EADS CASA openly declared its intentions to market the Wilga 2000 towards the North American law enforcement market, and that it was working with distributors to develop a capable airborne surveillance capability for the type, including forward looking infrared (FLIR) and colour cameras. For a time during the 2000s, a Canadian aircraft supplier was reportedly seriously considered building the Wilga aircraft for the nation's Air Cadet league, observing its complete compliance with glider training requirements and the need to procure further aircraft at that time. However, the company was unable to acquire the necessary support of EADS to proceed on the proposed Canadian manufacturing venture involving the Wilga. During November 2006, production of the Wilga came to end following a decision by EADS to reduce its presence within the civil aviation market, the firm also attributed the termination to be a consequence of a lack of internal resources and high associated costs. Throughout its production life, in excess of 1,000 Wilgas of all types had been constructed, the vast majority (reportedly around 935) of these were built to the Wilga 35 and 80 standards. These numbers mean that the PZL 104 has been produced in greater quantity than any other Polish aircraft design in history.

The PZL 104 Wilga is a high wing cantilever short takeoff and landing (STOL) monoplane utility aircraft, featuring all aluminium construction and a conventional layout. The main cabin is constructed of duralumin, both riveted and corrugated, which reportedly increases the strength and durability of the aircraft's low mass semi monocoque fuselage. The rectangular single spar wing is fitted with slotted flaps and anti stall slats. The four seat cabin is fitted with two large side doors, opening upwards to facilitate large loads, and rapid entry/exit. The main wheels of the landing gear are attached to an articulated, conventional fixed undercarriage, complete with pneumatic shock absorbers and paired with a heavy duty sprung tail wheel, which was attached to a hook for towing gliders. Early aircraft were typically powered by the Soviet designed Ivchenko AI 14R radial engine, which was capable of generating up to ; notably, the engine rotates in the opposite direction to North American standards. The Al 14R would normally drive a two bladed composite wooden propeller, which was strengthened with bonded metal sections fitted along their leading edges. The newest models of the Wilga have been furnished with fully metal propellers and are powered by the North American Continental O 470 engine, which rotate in the opposite direction to the earlier Soviet engine. Other engines from other manufacturers have also been adapted to power the type. Regardless of the engine fitted, fuel is primarily housed within a pair of fuel tanks, which were located within the aircraft's wings.

The Wilga has been widely used in civil aviation circles; it has often been tasked with performing various duties, such as touring, observation, glider towing, parachute training and bush flying. In Poland, the type has formed the longtime backbone contingent of the Polish Aero Club, who operate the aircraft in a basic configuration for flight training. Additionally, a number of Polish pilots that have flown Wilgas have been awarded several prizes in the FAI World Rally Flying and Precision Flying Championships across a wide range of dates, from 1978 to 2006. In military service, the type has been typically used to perform liaison and recovery missions, as well as being used as a light observation platform.

On 12 Jan 1996, a PZL 104 (VH PZS) crashed on North Stradbroke Island near Brisbane. The pilot and his three passengers were killed. On 6 May 2010, a PZL 104 carrying UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage crashed at Hinton in the Hedges Airfield, Northamptonshire. On 16 September 2019, a PZL 104 2000 (N123T, popularly known as Draco) was attempting to takeoff from Reno Stead Airport in a crosswind with 38 knot gusts with a subsequent ground loop and crashed beside the runway. The three occupants got out uninjured.