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Utility aircraft
PZL-104 Wilga is a utility aircraft originating in Poland. It was built by PZL Warszawa-Okęcie. Reported operators include Polish military and civilian aviation.
PolandTechnical data
True scale
Sourced dimensions beside a 1.75 m human reference.
Points represent sourced observations, including revisions. Revisions on the same effective date are not separate inventory events. Ranges appear in the table and are not plotted as exact points.
| Observation / report period | Value | Source | Claim state |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Oct 2026 | 8.1 m | Wikipedia contributors | superseded |
| 2 Oct 2026 | 8.1 m | Wikipedia contributors | superseded |
| 2 Oct 2026 | 8.1 m | Wikipedia contributors | approved |
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Utility aircraft
Poland
PZL Warszawa-Okęcie
Production Ended
Polish military and civilian aviation
1,000+
1962-2006
24 April 1962
1
3
8.10 m (26 ft 6 in)
11.12 m (36 ft 5 in)
2.96 m (9 ft 6 in)
15.50 m 2 (166.85 sq ft)
900 kg (1,984 lb)
1,300 kg (2,868 lb)
1 × Ivchenko AI-14 RA air-cooled 9-cylinder radial piston engine , 194 kW (260 hp)
195 km/h (121 mph, 105 kn)
670 km (416 mi, 361 nmi)
4,040 m (13,250 ft)
5.5 m/s (1,082 ft/min)
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.
The PZL-104 was designed for robust use in sports and civil aviation, with a strong emphasis on glider -towing and parachute training. On 24 April 1962, the prototype of the initial Wilga Mark 1 variant made the type's first flight, powered by an existing Polish 220 hp (160 kW) horizontally-opposed engine , the PZL WN-6RB. The subsequent flight test programme with the prototype exposed a number of design faults, the most serious of which was the airframe's excessive weight and a rear view restriction that prevented the crew from easily seeing a towed glider. Accordingly, an airframe review was performed by the design team that resulted in the thorough redevelopment of the aircraft, led by Polish aeronautical engineers Bronisław Żurakowski and Andrzej Frydrychewicz .
On 1 August 1963, the revised aircraft, which was designated as the PZL-104 Wilga Mark 2 , conducted its first flight. While testing validated the qualities of the Wilga 2's airframe and had proved the aircraft to be a successful design, the WN-6RB engine that powered the model was not fully developed and thus, the aircraft did not enter serial production. In response, the decision was taken to convert the assembly line to instead manufacture the improved Wilga C and Wilga Mark 3 configurations instead. On 30 December 1963, the Wilga C (or Wilga Mark 2 Subvariant C ) made its first flight; this variant which was a dedicated export model of the type for Indonesia powered by the imported North American -certified 225 hp (168 kW) horizontally opposed Continental O-470 engine.
To address the immaturity of the original WN-6RB engine, the design team decided to adopt an in-production radial engine , the 260 hp (190 kW) Ivchenko AI-14 R; furnished with this engine, the aircraft became the PZL-104 Wilga Mark 3 variant, which first flew on 31 December 1965. The new engine was more powerful but it spoilt the previously clean and aerodynamic fuselage lines, originally designed for a flat engine; nonetheless, the new variant was successful. Due in combination to the power of the AI-14R engine and the STOL capability of the airframe, an extraordinary high rate of climb of 11 m/s (2,165 fpm) (maximum) under minimal load was possible. One of a few remaining flaws was that the engine was relatively uneconomical to operate.
The Wilga 32 was an improved small-series export variant of the type, powered by a Continental flat engine, which was also locally produced in Indonesia as the "Gelatik". After completing an initial batch of 13 Wilga 3s, there were some improvements made to the model, most notably the landing gear base being increased from 2.12 to 2.83 m (7.0 to 9.3 ft) to improve stability during takeoff runs. On 29 June 1967, an improved model, designated as the PZL-104 Wilga 35 , made its first flight, it subsequently entered mass production as well. The most numerous variant of Wilga 35 was the utility plane Wilga 35A, while most others were built in small numbers or remained as prototypes alone.
In 1996, it was announced that PZL had developed an improved version of the aircraft, known as the PZL-104MA Wilga 2000 . The Wilga 2000 family benefitted from various improvements, it adopted an American Lycoming O-540 engine, capable of generating a maximum of 225 kW (300 hp), along with an AlliedSignal - Bendix avionics suite and a new wing, the latter of which offered increased fuel capacity and endurance, as well with aerodynamic refinements, such as fairings around the undercarriage. In May 2004, Canadian-based company Sealand Aviation demonstrated an amphibious version of the Wilga 2000 in Anchorage .
Early aircraft were typically powered by the Soviet-designed Ivchenko AI-14 R radial engine , which was capable of generating up to 260 hp (190 kW); notably, the engine rotates in the opposite direction to North American standards. The Al-14R would normally drive a two-bladed composite wooden propeller, which was strengthened with bonded metal sections fitted along their leading edges . The newest models of the Wilga have been furnished with fully metal propellers and are powered by the North American Continental O-470 engine, which rotate in the opposite direction to the earlier Soviet engine. Other engines from other manufacturers have also been adapted to power the type. Regardless of the engine fitted, fuel is primarily housed within a pair of 195 L (43 imp gal; 52 US gal) fuel tanks, which were located within the aircraft's wings.
Wilga 3 with Continental O-470 engine for Indonesia. 6 aircraft built in Poland, 18 in Indonesia under the name Gelatik . Some were fitted as agricultural aircraft .
Wilga 35H
Wilga 80/1400 (80H)
Export floatplane variant of 1982 built in cooperation with Canada, powered by PZL AI-14RD (206 kW /280 HP) engine.
PZL-104M Wilga 2000
PZL-104MW Wilga 2000 Hydro
Last variant of Wilga 2000 made in 2005, with improved aerodynamics and winglets , powered by Lycoming I0-540 300 hp engine. No longer in production.
Polish Border Guard operates some (5 in 2005) PZL-104MF Wilgas 2000 as patrol aircraft.
On 12 Jan 1996, a PZL-104 (VH-PZS) crashed on North Stradbroke Island near Brisbane . The pilot and his three passengers were killed.
On 16 September 2019, a PZL-104 2000 (N123T, popularly known as Draco ) was attempting to takeoff from Reno Stead Airport in a crosswind with 38 knot gusts with a subsequent ground loop and crashed beside the runway. The three occupants got out uninjured.
Length: 8.10 m (26 ft 6 in)
Wingspan: 11.12 m (36 ft 5 in)
Height: 2.96 m (9 ft 6 in)
Wing area: 15.50 m 2 (166.85 sq ft)
Empty weight: 900 kg (1,984 lb)
Gross weight: 1,300 kg (2,868 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Ivchenko AI-14 RA air-cooled 9-cylinder radial piston engine , 194 kW (260 hp)
Maximum speed: 195 km/h (121 mph, 105 kn)
Range: 670 km (416 mi, 361 nmi)
Service ceiling: 4,040 m (13,250 ft)
Rate of climb: 5.5 m/s (1,082 ft/min)
PZL-104 Wilga Poland Propeller Utility
Reference text from Wikipedia contributors, used under CC BY-SA 4.0.
PZL-104 Wilga equipment records. Variants, orders and quantities are shown as reported in each inventory source; coverage is incomplete.
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