Valmet L-90 Redigo
The Valmet L-90 Redigo is a turboprop-powered military basic trainer aircraft and liaison aircraft, a development of Valmet's earlier training aircraft for the Finnish Air Force. The L-90 was the last military aircraft designed and produced in Finland.[1]
| M-290TP / L-90TP RediGO | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Role | Trainer / Liaison |
| Manufacturer | Valmet Aermacchi |
| First flight | February 12, 1985 |
| Introduction | March 7, 1985 |
| Status | Operational |
| Primary users | Finnish Air Force Eritrean Air Force Mexican Navy |
| Produced | 1985–1995 |
| Number built | 31 |
| Developed from | Valmet L-70 Vinka Valmet L-80 Turbo-Vinha |
Design and development
The prototype, a modified L-80, first flew on February 12, 1985. A second prototype, powered by a Turbomeca TP319 turboprop, was destroyed in an accident in August 1988.[2] A total of 29 production aircraft plus the 2 prototypes were produced. Aermacchi purchased the manufacturing rights in 1996 but never returned the aircraft to production.[2]
The aircraft is of conventional configuration, with retractable tricycle gear and a low wing. The student and instructor sit side-by-side. As is typical with many military trainers, it can also carry light armament for weapons training, or potentially, for use in a close-support role. The Finnish Air Force only used the L-90 as a liaison aircraft.[1]
Operators
Eritrea- Eritrean Air Force 6 in service as of 2011[3]
Finland- Finnish Air Force, 10 units, the whole fleet retired
Mexico- Mexican Navy 7 in service
Specifications (M-290 TP)
Data from Brassey's World Aircraft and Systems Directory 1999/2000[4]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Capacity: Can accommodate additional two passengers or stretcher with patient
- Length: 8.53 m (28 ft 0 in)
- Wingspan: 10.60 m (34 ft 9 in)
- Height: 3.20 m (10 ft 6 in)
- Wing area: 14.8 m2 (159 sq ft)
- Airfoil: root: NACA 63-218 (mod); tip: NACA 63-412 (mod)
- Empty weight: 970 kg (2,138 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 1,350 kg (2,976 lb) clean – Acrobatic category
- 1,470 kg (3,240 lb) clean – Utility category
- 1,600 kg (3,500 lb) clean – Normal category
- 1,900 kg (4,200 lb) w/ external stores – Normal category
- Powerplant: 1 × Allison 250-B17F turboprop, 340 kW (450 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 354 km/h (220 mph, 191 kn) TAS @ 3,281 m (10,764 ft) & 1,600 kg (3,500 lb), clean
- Cruise speed: 326 km/h (203 mph, 176 kn) TAS @ 3,281 m (10,764 ft) & 1,600 kg (3,500 lb), clean
- Stall speed: 93 km/h (58 mph, 50 kn)
- Never exceed speed: 415 km/h (258 mph, 224 kn) IAS
- Range: 1,000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) #@ 1,600 kg (3,500 lb) normal cruise speed, clean
- Service ceiling: 6,340 m (20,800 ft) (engine limitation)
- g limits: +7.0 −3.5 @ 1,350 kg (2,980 lb) – Aerobatic Category Limit
- +4.4 −1.76 @ 1,470 kg (3,240 lb) – Utility Category Limit
- +3.8 −1.52 @ 1,600 kg (3,500 lb) – Normal Category Limit (clean)
- +3.8 −1.52 @ 1,900 kg (4,200 lb) – Normal Category Limit (w/ external stores)
- Rate of climb: 9.3 m/s (1,830 ft/min) @ 1,600 kg (3,500 lb) ISA
- 6.3 m/s (1,240 ft/min) @ 1,900 kg (4,200 lb) ISA
- Wing loading: 91.6 kg/m2 (18.8 lb/sq ft)
- Power/mass: 0.25 kW/kg (0.15 hp/lb)
Armament
- Hardpoints: Six hardpoints for a maximum of 800 kg (1,800 lb) of weapons
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
- Notes
- "From Observation Sorties to Multi-Role Fighters". History of the Finnish Air Force. Finnish Defense Forces.
- "Military Aircraft Forecast".
- Cooper, Tom; Weinert, Peter; Hinz, Fabian; Lepko, Mark (2011). African MiGs, Volume 2: Madagascar to Zimbabwe. Houston: Harpia Publishing. p. 223. ISBN 978-0-9825539-8-5.
- Taylor 2000, p.36.
- Taylor, Michael J.H. (1999). Brassey's world aircraft and systems directory, 1999–2000 (2nd ed.). London: Brassey's Inc. ISBN 1-85753-245-7.
Further reading
- "L90-AFM-RT2". AERMACCHI M-290 TP Redigo AIRPLANE FLIGHT MANUAL (Amendment 2 ed.). AERMACCHI. 6 June 1996.