Letov KT-04

The Letov KT‑04 is a single‑engine, low‑wing trainer and liaison aircraft developed in Czechoslovakia during the early 1970s by the state‑run manufacturer Letov Kbely. Designed to replace the aging Letov Š‑328 series, the KT‑04 first flew on 12 May 1972 and entered limited service with the Czechoslovak Air Force in 1975. Its all‑metal construction, retractable tricycle landing gear and a 210 kW (280 hp) Lycoming IO‑540‑D flat‑six engine gave it a maximum speed of 300 km/h and a range of 1 200 km, while the spacious cabin could accommodate a pilot, an instructor and up to two passengers for training, reconnaissance or light transport missions. The aircraft featured a semi‑monocoque fuselage, hydraulically operated flaps and a modern avionics suite that included VHF radio, ADF and a basic autopilot, which was unusual for a trainer of its class at the time. Though only 85 units were built, the KT‑04 demonstrated Letov’s ability to produce a versatile, cost‑effective platform that bridged the gap between basic trainers and high‑performance jets, influencing later Eastern Bloc designs and leaving a modest but notable legacy in regional aviation history. The KT‑04 also served in civilian aeroclubs for advanced pilot training.

Letov Kbely

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