PZL Swidnik W3 Sokol
- CountryPoland
- TypeMid size twin engine utility helicopter
- PowerplantsTwo 670kW (900shp) takeoff rated WSKPZL Rzeszów PZL10W turboshafts driving a four blade main rotor and three blade tail rotor.
- PerformanceW-3A - Max cruising speed 243km/h (131kt). Initial rate of climb 2008ft/min. Hovering ceiling (at max takeoff weight) out of ground effect 6220ft. Service ceiling 19,680ft. Max range with reserves 745km (402nm), with auxiliary fuel and reserves 1290km (696nm), with max payload and no reserves 200km (108nm).
- WeightsW3A - Basic operating empty 3850kg (8488lb), max takeoff 6400kg (14,110lb).
- DimentionsMain rotor diameter 15.70m (51ft 6in), length overall rotors turning 18.79m (61ft 8in), fuselage length 14.21m (46ft 8in), height overall 5.14m (16ft 10in), height to top of rotor mast 4.20m (13ft 10in). Main rotor disc area 193.6m2 (2034sq ft).
- CapacityTwo pilots or pilot and flight engineer or passenger on flightdeck. Main cabin seating for 12 in passenger configuration, or three medical attendants and eight rescued survivors in SAR Anaconda version, or four stretchers and medical attendant in ambulance configuration, one stretcher and medical attendants in critical care EMS version, or five/six passengers in executive configuration. Can carry a 2100kg (4630lb) sling load.
- ProductionApproximately 130 Sokols of all models have been built, including against Polish military orders.
The W3 Sokol (Falcon) utility is the first helicopter to be completely composed and implicit Poland, and is PZL Swidnik's most guaranteeing deals prospect in the close to medium future.
Created amid the mid 1970s, the Sokol made its first flight on November 16 1979, and has since been certificated in Poland, Russia, the US and Germany. Taking after a decently extended advancement system, low rate creation of the Sokol started amid 1985. Starting offers of the universally useful Sokol were inside Poland and in the Eastern Bloc, before the breakdown of socialism permitted PZL Swidnik to expand its deals base. To do this PZL Swidnik created the enhanced W3a Sokol went for attaining western accreditation. Affirmation to US FAR Pt 29 models was allowed in May 1993, while German confirmation was conceded in December that year.
The Sokol is of routine configuration and development, with two Pzl10w turboshafts, which are focused around the Russian outlined Tvd10b turboprops that power the Polish constructed A 28. Composites are utilized within the tail and principle rotor sharpened pieces of steels.
The Sokol is offered in various variations and is equipped for performing a regular scope of helicopter missions, including traveler transport, VIP, payload, EMS, medevac, firefighting and hunt and salvage (the W3 RM Anaconda).
An updated rendition of the Sokol is presently a work in progress. The Sw5 (a temporary assignment) would have twin FADEC prepared 745kw (1000shp) Pratt & Whitney Canada Pt6b-67b turboshafts, Sextant supplied flight, a rearranged rotor head and more prominent utilization of composites.
Pictures of PZL Swidnik W3 Sokol
