Máňa

Text: Jaroslav Špaček

Illustration: Antonis Karydis

Cat. No. 2148

The L-410UVP, serial number 810731, was manufactured by LET Kunovice, on 25 November 1981. It was equipped with the standard camouflage for this type, i.e. two shades of green on the upper and side surfaces, and light grey underneath. At the time when it was intended for transporting NATO observers during exercises on the territory of Czechoslovakia, the nose, part of the tail surfaces and the ends of the wings were painted yellow. Subsequently, during an inspection at the factory, it was fitted with 'VIP camouflage' in white and grey with tricolour on the fuselage sides.

In the middle of 2005, the aircraft was handed over to the Pardubice Centre of Aviation Training (CLV) of the state enterprise LOM PRAHA, where it complemented the already used L-410UVP-T aircraft,fuselage number 0928, for training  University of Defence Brno students intended for the transport aviation. Pilots Štěpán Ručka and Petr Kříženecký took over the "new" aircraft from Kbely. However, they did not flew off  on their first attempt, because the aircraft showed significant control defects, perhaps due to previous damage during ground handling. However, after several adjustments, the aircraft was finally taken over, although for the rest of its flying life it suffered permanent consequences in the form of constant, albeit small, slipping. Any change in speed or wing configuration thus required re-adjustment of the rudder and aileron trims. Over time, the aircraft was nicknamed "Máňa“ (pronounced Mania, meaning "Little Mary"). 

In 2012, the aircraft "0731"underwent the R2 revision at the manufacturer. Due to the extent of the work being carried out, there was a discussion in CLV on the subject of a new camouflage to fit within our fleet. Out of many ideas from pilots and technicians, the current look of the "CLV" L-410s was finally chosen. That's why the aircraft "0928" received it as well in 2017 during its R2 revision in Kunovice.

An interesting feature is the inscription on the bottom of the fuselage - AEROTRAINING, which was supposed to be the call sign of the aircraft used in CLV. The call sign of this aircraft for communication with air traffic control authorities at that time was "Aerotraining 731".

On 22 October 2020 the aircraft landed for the last time in Pardubice, it was then with the crew of Antonín Karmazín, Jiří Červený and Jiří Seidl. The need for another R2 revision and the engines and propellers overhaul, together with the necessary modernisation of the avionic equipment, meant very high costs. Therefore, the decision was made to decommission the aircraft and no longer operate it.

In the end, "Máňa" ended its aviation journey in the Aviation Museum in Kunovice. The aircraft was transported there on two trucks on March 7, 2024, where it was displayed to the public after assembly with the help of the production plant employees. "Máňa" flew a total of 7,479 hours and 25 minutes and safely completed 13,892 landings.