Let L-40 Meta Sokol
Let Kunovice · Czechoslovakia · first flew 1956 · light aircraft
The Let L-40 Meta Sokol (Peregrine Falcon) is a Czechoslovak four-seat light touring aircraft featuring a retractable tricycle undercarriage, produced in the late 1950s for aeroclub and private use across the Eastern Bloc. It represents the Czech aircraft industry's post-war capability in light aircraft design.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.54 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Czechoslovak four-seat tourer with retractable tricycle undercarriage
- Clean low-wing monoplane typical of 1950s Eastern Bloc light aircraft
- Produced by Let Kunovice for aeroclub and touring use
A clean low-wing four-seater with retractable tricycle undercarriage; similar in overall concept to Western contemporaries but with subtle Eastern Bloc design characteristics in the canopy and fuselage shaping.
Specifications
- The Let L-40 Meta Sokol has a length of 7.54 m (25 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.06 m (33 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 250 km/h (155 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 + 3 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The L-40 was designed by Zdeněk Rublič and first flew in 1956, entering limited production at Let Kunovice. It was intended as a touring aircraft for aero-clubs and private pilots, offering relatively modern performance compared to older types then in use. Production numbers were modest.
Variants
The basic L-40 was the primary variant; a development with improved engine and minor airframe changes was also proposed. The type was not widely exported outside Czechoslovakia.
Where you'll see it
The L-40 served Czechoslovak aero-clubs and some civil operators through the late 1950s and 1960s; examples also appeared in other Warsaw Pact nations. The type's modest performance and limited production meant it never achieved the wider success of the Zlín series.
Related aircraft
- Let L-200 Morava
- Let L-410 Turbolet
- L-610
- Let L-33 Sólo
- Beechcraft Travel Air
- Boisavia B.260 Anjou
- Cessna 182 Skylane
- Cessna 620
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