Andrjez Jeziorski/WARSAW
Polish helicopter manufacturer PZL-Swidnik successfully completed the much-delayed first flight of its SW-4 light helicopter on 26 October, but now has to fight for Government funding to complete certification.
The single turbine five seater is the first new East European aircraft, designed and manufactured outside the former Soviet Union, to be flown since the fall of Communism. During its first three flights, the helicopter demonstrated hovers and level flight with turns, reaching airspeeds up to 50kt (90km/h) during its public presentation on 29 October, in winds gusting up to 29kt (55km/h). The helicopter was flown by Swidnik chief test pilot Zbigniew Dabski, with two flight engineers.
The helicopter development programme, which began in November 1991, was about one-fifth state-funded, but Swidnik needs more financial backing to finish flight-testing and certification to FAR Part 27 standards, says research and development director Ryszard Kochanowski. Talks are under way with the state research committee KBN to secure this.
The flying prototype is powered by a 335kW (475hp) Allison 250-C20R. According to Kochanowski, plans to offer the helicopter with an alternative 460kW Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206 power plant will be kept on hold while development of the Allison-powered variant is given priority.
A future twin-engine variant is also planned, to meet forthcoming European regulations limiting single-engine operations, says Kochanowski. A twin would be more expensive, he says, with the two engines alone costing around $400,000.
The company hopes to offer the single-engine variant to the market at some $600,000.
Swidnik predicts that the helicopter will have a maximum take-off weight of 1,700kg, with a maximum speed of 155kt and a 20,000ft ceiling. The SW-4 is fitted with AlliedSignal Bendix/King avionics, with optional equipment to allow operations under instrument flight rules.
The SW-4 is being promoted for general aviation, as well as border patrol, police operations and emergency medical services operations. Kochanowski says that the helicopter could also be suitable for basic military training and light-combat support.
Source: Flight International
