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)

Redigo cockpit

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

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
  1. "From Observation Sorties to Multi-Role Fighters". History of the Finnish Air Force. Finnish Defense Forces.
  2. "Military Aircraft Forecast".
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
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