PZL-106AR Kruk

After further trials, production of a pre-production series began — 7 examples were built. The last two aircraft of this series became prototypes of the PZL-106A version. At the same time, trials with various agricultural equipment were conducted. Serial production of the PZL-106A began at the State Aviation Works in 1976. Between 1979 and 1983, trials with different powerplants were carried out.

The PZL-106 A was developed based on experience gained during trials of the prototype PZL-106 with T-tail. It was produced in series from 1976. It was operated by the Agricultural Aviation Services Company domestically and particularly in Egypt and Sudan, where it replaced the less safe and efficient PZL-101 Gawron aircraft, which had been withdrawn from service. A significant number of these aircraft were also purchased by East Germany, whose “Agrarflug” company cooperated in refining its agricultural equipment.

In 1981, a new wing B was developed with a different profile, shorter teardrop-shaped struts, electrically operated flaps, and an integral fuel tank. Aircraft equipped with this wing were produced from 1982 with a PZL3SR engine as the PZL-106 BR, and with an Ash62IR engine as the PZL-106BS. A version with a Czech-made Walter M-601 turbine engine (600 hp /442 kW) was also developed and produced from 1989 as the PZL-106 BT-601 (the first Polish aircraft with turboprop propulsion). In 1981, a fire-fighting version was prepared, featuring an appropriate bottom plate and a tank for foam concentrate. A unique solution was the training version, where instead of the standard chemical tank, a tank was installed with an instructor’s cockpit in the upper section and a 300-litre liquid chemical tank in the lower section. This arrangement made it possible to train pilots and supervise them during normal working flights. After training was completed, the standard tank was reinstalled and the aircraft returned to its working configuration.

In subsequent years, based on the main structural assemblies, engineer Andrzej Frydrychewicz developed a family of multi-role aircraft. An armed version was even created. Serial production was halted at the end of the 1980s. It was resumed in 1995. In total, between 1976 and 2002, 147 aircraft of the A, AR, and AS versions were produced, along with 126 of the BR, BS, and BT versions, including 32 BT. 102 units were in East Germany, 72 in the Agricultural Aviation Services, and the remainder in South and Central American countries. Currently, there are no PZL-106 aircraft in operation in Poland.