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]
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 retiredFinland Finnish Air Force , 10 units, the whole fleet retiredMexico Mexican Navy 7 in service[citation needed Specifications (M-290 TP) Redigo cockpit Data from Brassey's World Aircraft and Systems Directory 1999/2000[3]
General characteristics
Crew: 2Capacity: Can accommodate additional two passengers or stretcher with patientLength: 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 category1,470 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 Performance
Maximum speed: 354 km/h (220 mph, 191 kn) TAS @ 3,281 m (10,764 ft) & 1,600 kg (3,500 lb), cleanCruise speed: 326 km/h (203 mph, 176 kn) TAS @ 3,281 m (10,764 ft) & 1,600 kg (3,500 lb), cleanStall speed: 93 km/h (58 mph, 50 kn)Never exceed speed :Range: 1,000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) #@ 1,600 kg (3,500 lb) normal cruise speed, cleanService 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) ISA6.3 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 :Armament
Hardpoints: Six hardpoints for a maximum of 800 kg (1,800 lb) of weaponsSee also Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References Notes ^ a b "From Observation Sorties to Multi-Role Fighters". History of the Finnish Air Force . Finnish Defense Forces. ^ a b "Military Aircraft Forecast". ^ 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 Wikimedia Commons has media related to Valmet L-90TP Redigo .
"L90-AFM-RT2". AERMACCHI M-290 TP Redigo AIRPLANE FLIGHT MANUAL (Amendment 2 ed.). AERMACCHI. 6 June 1996.
Eritrea
Finland
Mexico
