DALLAS — Today, in 1969, the prototype of the Let L-410 Turbolet (registration OK-60), then known as the XL-410, performed its maiden flight.

The aircraft is a 15-seat, unpressurized, high-wing regional airliner powered by the Walter M601 engine. However, delays in the development of the power plant led to early models being powered by the Pratt & Whitney PT6-27 engines.

Development of the airliner, initially known as the L-400, began in the early 1960s after a request from the Russian flag carrier, Aeroflot (SU), to design a replacement for its Antonov An-2 biplane.

Following certification of the prototypes, the airliner was put into production in 1971. Over the years, numerous upgraded variants of the type have been built, including the L-410 UVP (short take-off and landing STOL).

In 2015, the manufacturer unveiled an upgraded version known as the L-410 Next Generation (NG). Upgraded General Electric H80 engines powered it with AV-725 propellers. Its avionics were upgraded, and it also had a new wing, more luggage space, and larger fuel tanks.