Valmet L-90 Redigo

"L-80" redirects here. For other uses, see L80.

M-290TP / L-90TP RediGO
General information
Type	Trainer / Liaison
Manufacturer	Valmet Aermacchi
Status	Retired
Primary users	Finnish Air Force Eritrean Air Force Mexican Navy Top Aces
Number built	31
History
Manufactured	1985–1995
Introduction date	March 7, 1985
First flight	February 12, 1985
Developed from	Valmet 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

• Powerplant: 1 × Allison 250-B17F turboprop, 340 kW (450 hp)

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

• Valmet L-70 Vinka
• Valmet L-80 Turbo-Vinha
• Valmet A-90 Raider

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Aermacchi SF.260
• Beech T-34
• Enaer T-35 Pillan

Related lists

• List of military aircraft of Finland

References

Notes

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

• "L90-AFM-RT2". AERMACCHI M-290 TP Redigo AIRPLANE FLIGHT MANUAL (Amendment 2 ed.). AERMACCHI. 6 June 1996.