Utva Aviation Industry
UTVA Aero 3
The UTVA Aero 3 is a light‑sport aircraft produced by the Serbian manufacturer Utva Aviation Industry, a company with roots dating back to 1937 in the town of Pančevo. Developed in the early 1990s as a modern evolution of the earlier UTVA 75 trainer, the Aero 3 first flew in 1993 and entered serial production in 1995, shortly after the breakup of Yugoslavia. It was designed to serve both primary flight training and civilian sport flying, combining rugged construction with modest operating costs.
Key features include a high‑wing, all‑metal airframe, a 160 hp Lycoming O‑320‑D2G engine, and fixed tricycle landing gear that simplify ground handling. The cockpit accommodates two occupants side‑by‑side under a large bubble canopy, providing excellent visibility for instruction. Modern avionics optional packages give the Aero 3 a contemporary navigation suite while retaining the simplicity valued by flight schools.
The aircraft’s significance lies in its role as a reliable, low‑cost trainer for the Balkans and several Eastern European air clubs, keeping local aviation activity viable during a period of economic transition. Its durability, ease of maintenance, and straightforward flight characteristics have cemented the Aero 3 as a staple of regional general‑aviation fleets.
Key features include a high‑wing, all‑metal airframe, a 160 hp Lycoming O‑320‑D2G engine, and fixed tricycle landing gear that simplify ground handling. The cockpit accommodates two occupants side‑by‑side under a large bubble canopy, providing excellent visibility for instruction. Modern avionics optional packages give the Aero 3 a contemporary navigation suite while retaining the simplicity valued by flight schools.
The aircraft’s significance lies in its role as a reliable, low‑cost trainer for the Balkans and several Eastern European air clubs, keeping local aviation activity viable during a period of economic transition. Its durability, ease of maintenance, and straightforward flight characteristics have cemented the Aero 3 as a staple of regional general‑aviation fleets.
Classification
Production & History
- First Flight
- 1956
Design & Classification
- Country of Origin
- Manufacturer
- Utva Aviation Industry
- Wikidata ID
- Q1534535