MIELEC, Poland (BulgarianMilitary.com), 13 September 2018, Editor: Galina Zdravkova, Photo credit: PZL Mielec

The Ecuadorian Army received an M28 short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft from PZL Mielec, Poland. The M28 arrived in Ecuador following a trans-Atlantic flight from Poland. The twin-engined turboprop aircraft will cover the need of the Ecuadorian Army of a proven multi-role transport aircraft that can be operated even in diverse climates and terrains, learned BulgarianMilitary.com

“We are very proud that Ecuador has joined to the group of M28 aircraft users. The M28 aircraft’s unique flight and performance attributes are ideally suited to meet the Army’s missions across Ecuador’s diverse climates and terrain,” commented Janusz Zakręcki, president and general director of PZL Mielec the news, which was announced by the company on 5 September 2018.

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The agreement for the aircraft was concluded by the Ecuadorian Army earlier this year, in April. In that connection, Army pilots and mechanics were trained by PZL Mielec in Poland. A Polish crew piloted the aircraft 13,500 km via Iceland and Greenland across the Atlantic Ocean to Canada, the United States and Central America to Shell Mera in Ecuador, where the aircraft was officially accepted by the Army.

The proven, durable and reliable M28 STOL aircraft can be operated from any type of runway or airstrip inaccessible by other airplanes and in extreme environmental conditions and temperatures ranging from +50° C to -50° C.

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As of the moment, over 100 M28s are in service all over the world in commercial, as well as in military configurations. They are intended for passenger transport, parachutist training, border patrol and supervision over fisheries. The Polish Air Force successfully uses the M28 Bryza version for transport and maritime operations.

The weight of the M28 aircraft is 7,500 kg. It can transport up to 2,300 kg of cargo and perform parachute missions via the rear cabin door. 19 passenger seats may be fit in it.

About PZL Mielec

PZL Mielec, formerly WSK-Mielec and WSK “PZL-Mielec”, is a Polish aerospace manufacturer, based in Mielec. On 16 March 2007, the PZL Mielec was acquired by the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, which was a unit of United Technologies Corporation then and now – a unit of Lockheed-Martin.

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