HC-4

The HC‑4, also known as the Orličan L‑410, is a light twin‑engine transport aircraft developed in Czechoslovakia by the aeronautical firm Orličan in the early 1970s. The program began in 1972 in response to a need for a versatile utility plane that could operate from short, unprepared airstrips in mountainous regions. First flight took place on 24 March 1974, and after a rigorous certification process the aircraft entered service with the Czechoslovak Air Force and a growing number of civilian operators across Eastern Europe.

Key features include a high‑wing layout, robust all‑metal construction, and two turboprop Walter M‑601E engines delivering 750 shp each. The HC‑4 can carry up to 19 passengers or 2 800 kg of cargo, and its spacious cabin can be quickly reconfigured for medical evacuation, parachute drops, or freight transport. Its short take‑off and landing capability, combined with a maximum cruise speed of 340 km/h and a range of 1 600 km, makes it ideal for regional routes and remote operations.

The aircraft’s reliability and low operating costs cemented its reputation as a workhorse of Central European aviation. By the late 1990s over 800 HC‑4s were built, influencing later designs such as the Let L‑410, and it remains a symbol of Orličan’s ingenuity.