PZL W-3 Sokół
From Scramble - The Aviation Magazine
| PZL W-3 Sokół | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
| Description | ||
| Role | Multirole helicopter | |
| Crew | 2 | |
| First Flight | 16 November 1979 | |
| Entered Serial Production | 1985 | |
| Number built | 153 | |
| Manufacturer | PZL-Świdnik | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ex rotor) | 14.21 m | |
| Rotor diameter | 15.70 m | |
| Height | 4.2 m | |
| Weights | ||
| Empty | 3300 kg | |
| Loaded | 3850 kg | |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 6400 kg | |
| Powerplant | ||
| Engines | two WSK PZL Rzeszów PZL-10W turboshafts | |
| Power | 670 kW (each) | |
| Performance | ||
| Maximum speed | 260 km/h | |
| Range (with ad. fuel tanks) | 1165 km | |
| Service ceiling | 5100 m | |
| Rate of climb | 600 m/min | |
Contents |
History
The W3 Sokol ('Falcon') is the first helicopter to be fully designed and built in Poland, and is PZL Swidnik's most promising sales prospect in the near future.
Work on the project was started at WSK PZL in 1973 by the team of Stanisław Kamiński. The Sokol made its first flight on November 16, 1979, and has since been certificated in Poland, Russia, the US and Germany. Following a fairly protracted development program, low rate production of the Sokol commenced during 1985. Initial sales of the general purpose Sokol were within Poland and in the Eastern Bloc, before the collapse of Communism allowed PZL Swidnik to broaden its sales base. To do this PZL Swidnik developed the improved W3A Sokol aimed at achieving Western certification. Certification to US FAR Pt 29 standards was granted in May 1993, while German certification was granted in December of that year.
The Sokol is of conventional design and construction, with two PZL10W turboshafts, which are based on the Russian designed TVD10B turboprops that power the Polish-built An-28. Composites are used in the tail and main rotor blades.
The Sokol is offered in a number of variants and is capable of performing a typical range of helicopter missions, including passenger transport, VIP, cargo, EMS, medevac, firefighting and search and rescue.
Capacity: Two 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.
Versions
Military Versions
W-3PL
Created as effect of "Głuszec" W-3 Sokół upgrade program. New Sokół has Multi-function display (MFD) based cockpit, engines with Full Authority Digital Electronics Control (FADEC), Head-up display (HUD), forward looking infrared (FLIR) imager, new defense systems (IR countermeasure and Chaff/Flare dispenser), all new electronic system are integrated around new Mission Computer, air conditioning and composite armor for pilots cabin, new weapons: 12,7mm WKM-B machinegun in moving turret (instead of fixed 23mm canon), new unguided rockets pods with 70mm rockets (compatible with Hydras), new ATGMs, new main rotor.
W-3W Sokół
Armed variant, with twin 23mm GSz-23Ł cannon and four pylons for various weapons (gun, missles or mining pods) or fuell tanks. W-3WA is based on FAR-29 certificate airframe.
W-3T Sokół
Basic military transport variant.
W-3P Sokół
Pasanger variant.
W-3S Sokół
VIP transport variant.
W-3ŚRR Procjon
Radioelectronic reconnaissance variant.
W-3PSOT
Flying observation and command variant.
W-3R Sokół
Medical evacuation variant.
W-3RL Sokół
Land search and rescue variant.
W-3RM Anakonda
Navalized search and rescue variant. W-3WARM is based on FAR-29 certificate airframe.
Civil Versions
W-3 Sokół
basic civil multi-purpose version
W-3A Sokół
version with certificate FAR-29;
W-3AS Sokół
W-3 airframe converted to W-3A standard
W-3A2 Sokół
version with four-axsis Smith SN 350 autopilot
W-3AM Sokół
civil version with floats
Operators
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Images
 PZL W-3 Sokół|W-3RL Sokół in the SAR variant used by 2 eltł. |
 0502 PZL W-3RL Sokół seen at Kresziny (EPKS) nov'06. |
 This PZL W-3RM Anaconda visited NAS De Kooy/EHKD early 1990s |
 W-3S Sokół of 36 SPLT in Vip transport variant. |
 Polish Mil Mi-8 and W-3W Sokół in Iraq (camp Babylon, 2004) |
 W-3W Sokół in Iraq |
