PZL-130 Orlik

A two seat primary and advanced military trainer with turboprop engine, the PZL-130 Orlik (eaglet) may be also used as a light ground-attack A/c (6 hard points) as well as for patrolling and sports flights. It conforms with FAR 23. The need for training jet pilots requires creating exact in-flight conditions. On one hand these would be the jet flight characteristics, on the other hand the training aircraft should be an easier construction to fly and also equally important, cheaper. The PZL-130 Orlik was the first Polish aeroplane to be prop-driven but with the flight characteristics of a jet. It is a light, single engine, low wing, two seater trainer in an all-metal construction. The modular cockpit panel design enabled pilots to change the panel to the required combat aircraft configuration.

The aircraft, PZL-130 Orlik, entered into service in 1993 and since then has become a successful turbo-prop military trainer. Its first, version, PZL 130TC I, has proved its effectiveness and excellent safety record, responding to the requirements for a basic trainer that enables basic piloting without visibility, aerial navigation and acrobacy. The Polish Air Force counts on 30 of these aircraft. The new version, PZL-130 TC II, designed in 2000, incorporates distinctive features from its predecessor: new wing with winglets and a more powerful powerplant with the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-25C and 4-bladed Hartzell. A more reliable and durable aircraft that concludes in a lower cost per hour of training for the operator.

The program of the new Polish training aircraft for the Air Force had its root during the 1970s and 1980s at the PZL Warsaw-Okecie Construction Bureau under the guidance of Mr. Andrzej Frydrychewicz. Firstly, it was thought that that aircraft would be based on a piston engine, later the plans were changed and resulted with fitting the plane with a turboprop engine. The initial project was completed in 1981 - the aircraft was codenamed PZL-130 Orlik. The second prototype - for flying tests - was fitted with a M-14Pm piston engine. During the winter of 1984 and 1985, two prototypes with the numbers 003 and 004 made their first flights. Later the 004 model was transported to Canada, where it was fitted with a PT6A-25A turbofan engine. Additionally, new hydraulics, new oxygen support, onboard cockpit systems and BENDIX KING navigation modules were installed. Each wing was fitted with a mounting pylon for external fuel tanks. The modernized aircraft was codenamed PZL-130 Turbo Orlik (PZL-130T).

The Polish Air Force uses the PZL-130TC-1 Orlik as the first platform for pilot's training. This aircraft was developed from the abovementioned PZL-130T. It?s fitted with a Czech produced Walter 601T engine with a 5-blade propeller, ejection seat, flight log computer, satellite navigation module, transponder and radiomarker receiver. In addition, all the onboard systems have been installed in a manner similar to the systems used on the TS-11 Iskra.