Valmet L-90 Redigo

"L-80" redirects here. For other uses, see L80.
M-290TP / L-90TP RediGO
General information
TypeTrainer / Liaison
ManufacturerValmet
Aermacchi
StatusRetired
Primary usersFinnish Air Force
Number built31
History
Manufactured1985–1995
Introduction dateMarch 7, 1985
First flightFebruary 12, 1985
Developed fromValmet L-70 Vinka
Valmet L-80 Turbo-Vinha

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 retired
 Finland
Finnish Air Force, 10 units, the whole fleet retired
 Mexico
Mexican Navy 7, all of them currently retired[citation needed]

Specifications (M-290 TP)

Redigo cockpit

Data from Brassey's World Aircraft and Systems Directory 1999/2000[3]

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