Less than a month after being acquired by Ayres of the U.S., Let Kunovice is at Farnborough showing a pair of turboprop twins which it believes will contribute the the reinvigoration of the previously moribund Czech transport aircraft industry. Ayres secured its 93.6% holding in Let on August 11 and plans to expand marketing and support of the L-410 and its larger brother, the new L-610.

However, as parent company founder Fred Ayres told Show News, "We want the Czechs to run Let; we are not going to put in U.S. managers, only our marketing skills." Let president Zdenek Pernica remains head of the Czech operation. The Ayres corporation has been using the last month to explore the potential of its new acquisition and has come to the conclusion that, in Fred Ayres' words, "The Czechs are eager to be involved in a first-class product."

Marketing and support for Let products will be transferred to Albany, Georgia, to improve response times, although a sales office will remain open in the Czech Republic. With nearly 1,100 L-410s built, the support market is obviously considerable. In its expanded form, the Ayres group will have $100 million annual turnover.

Ayres has taken over Let's long-term debt as part of its acquisition. The company's assets include some 40 L-410s in various stages of completeness, of which about 25 are virtually ready for sale. Ayres regards the L-410 (in its uprated L-420 form) as a competitor to the Cessna Caravan and Shorts 360 in the light freighter market, as it is able to offer 632 cubic feet of hold volume. If interest continues beyond 40 sales, the L-410 will be put back into production.

The first series manufacture-third overall-L-610G is now under construction, says Ayres. This 40-seater is powered by a pair of General Electric CT7s, with the second prototype on show at Farnborough.

"The 610 is a rugged aircraft with large wheels and so is ideal for use in developing countries," Ayres said. "There has been a lot of recent interest, but we have not yet begun soliciting orders."

For years, the L-610 project has languished and, although the prototype flew in 1988, it has taken until now for a marketing effort to be prepared. Sales are predicted in Central and South America, while interest has also come from the southern republics of the former Soviet Union. However, there are no plans to revive the M602-powered version for use in ex-Soviet countries unless the Walter engine company funds certification.

An unexpected benefit from the Let acquisition has been use of some components in the Ayres LM-200 Loadmaster program. It has been found that with minimal changes, this Federal Express freight container carrier can be fitted with the L-410 fin and L-610 horizontal stabilizer. Let will also build the wings and flaps for the LM-200.

First flight, says Ayres, "will be in March, May next year."

By Paul Jackson