EM-11 Orka

The EM‑11 Orka is a four‑seat, low‑wing touring aircraft designed and built in Poland by Margański & Mysłowski Zakłady Lotnicze (M&M). Development began in 2005, when the company, known for high‑performance aerobatic and military trainers such as the MDM‑1 Fox, decided to enter the civil light‑sport market. The prototype first flew on 20 August 2009 from the Poznań–Krzesiny airfield, and after a series of flight‑test refinements the type received its European certification in 2013.

Key features include a composite‑rich airframe that combines carbon‑fiber skins with a steel tube fuselage, giving the Orka a high strength‑to‑weight ratio and a maximum take‑off weight of 1 400 kg. It is powered by a Rotax 912ULS or a Lycoming IO‑360 engine, depending on customer preference, and offers a cruise speed of roughly 250 km/h, a range of 1 200 km and a service ceiling of 6 500 m. Avionics, side‑by‑side seating, and generous baggage capacity make it suitable for business travel, flight‑training and recreational cross‑country flying.

The Orka’s significance lies in demonstrating that a small Polish manufacturer can produce a competitive, certified aircraft for the general aviation market, thereby expanding Poland’s presence in the global aviation industry.