PZL Mielec M-28 Skytruck

Twin Turboprop

The PZL M-28 Skytruck is a rugged Polish twin-turboprop utility transport designed for short-field operations in austere environments. Developed by PZL Mielec in the 1980s as a stretched, modernized derivative of the Soviet-era Antonov An-28, the M-28 features Western avionics and Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65B engines, transforming the original design into a capable STOL workhorse. With a maximum takeoff weight under 16,000 pounds and the ability to operate from unpaved strips as short as 1,300 feet, the Skytruck excels in roles where larger aircraft cannot venture—cargo hauling to remote airstrips, parachute operations, medevac missions, and maritime patrol. The M-28's high-wing configuration, fixed tricycle landing gear, and rear cargo ramp allow rapid loading of up to 19 passengers or 4,400 pounds of freight. Its PT6A engines deliver excellent hot-and-high performance, while the aircraft's slow-speed handling characteristics—stall speeds in the high 50-knot range with full flaps—make it forgiving on marginal runways. Operators value the type's simplicity, maintainability, and tolerance for rough treatment in the field. Military variants serve with Poland, Indonesia, Nepal, and several other air forces for transport and surveillance duties, while civilian operators deploy the M-28 for charter work, skydiving, and humanitarian missions in regions with limited infrastructure. SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, covering routes.