PZL-104 Wilga

PZL-104 Wilga
PZL-104 Wilga 35
General information
TypeUtility aircraft
National originPoland
ManufacturerPZL Warszawa-Okęcie
StatusProduction Ended
Primary userPolish military and civilian aviation
Number built1,000+
History
Manufactured1962-2006
First flight24 April 1962

PZL-104 Wilga (golden oriole) is a Polish short-takeoff-and-landing (STOL) civil aviation utility aircraft designed and originally manufactured by PZL Warszawa-Okęcie, and later by European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), who had acquired the original manufacturer during 2001.

First flown on 24 April 1962 and entering service during the following year, the Wilga has evolved through many ever-improving versions during its continuous production from 1962 to 2006. The type was largely used by civil operators; those military air services that did fly the type typically used it as a trainer and liaison aircraft. In excess of 1,000 aircraft were produced prior to European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) announcing on their website that production of the Wilga would cease in 2006.