SW-4 / AgustaWestland AW009

The refined and attractive AgustaWestland AW009 is a cost-effective, multi-mission capable, light single-engine helicopter – an evolution of the rugged SW-4. The mission-proven Rolls-Royce M250-C20R/2 (SP) engine ensures reliable, high performance; an optional M250-C30P engine upgrade will provide enhanced power handling for the most demanding mission. An advanced ‘Genesys’ avionics display is now standard in every AW009 to ensure excellent situational awareness; pilots experience an intuitive, easy to fly platform with excellent range and endurance – essential for demanding training, law enforcement, passenger transport and utility operations.

The SW-4 is a light single multi-purpose helicopter designed to carry up to 5 people, including pilot(s) under day and night VFR conditions. The helicopter has been type certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) under JAR 27. It is perfectly suited for passenger transport, primary and advanced training, patrolling and surveillance and has the best range of operation in its class. Modern technology, low operational cost and ease of flying make the SW-4 an excellent entry point to the light turbine helicopter segment.

The fuselage and the structural components of the airframe have been designed with state-of-the-art materials making extensive use of composite materials. The large cabin provides passengers with excellent comfort, ample legroom and great external visibility. Access to the main cabin area is through rear sliding doors and forward hinged doors on both sides of the fuselage. The cabin has been designed to provide high levels of operational flexibility. It can be quickly and easily reconfigured from a passenger layout to a cargo solution capable of carrying up to 323 kg (710 lb) in the cabin and a further 150 kg (331 lb) in the baggage compartment.

The passenger version is equipped with “state of the art” high energy absorbing crashworthy seats. The seats can be furnished with standard velour upholstery or leather furnishing. Forward cabin area accommodates two pilots seats. One pilot seat can be used as normal passenger seat. Rear part of the cabin accommodates three individual passenger seats. All seats are removable. High gloss exterior paint schemes complimented by leather seats, deep-pile carpets and veneer interior furnishings achieve a personalized VIP helicopter interior configuration. Passenger/VIP version offers wide use of the helicopter for private and commercial operators.

Cargo version can be utilized as passenger and cargo combined transport, internal cargo transport, luggage compartment cargo transport, sling cargo tasks. The features are large cabin doors, rapid and easy cabin access, removable dual controls. The helicopter as the only in its class possess sliding doors at both sides of the helicopter. The helicopter is easily converted from passenger to cargo configuration. The cargo version of the helicopter enables carriage of up to 323 kg (712 lb) in the main cabin rear part and 90kg (198 lb) in the main cabin front part and a further 150 kg (331 lb) in the baggage compartment. The internal cabin floor, the walls behind seats and the luggage compartment are equipped with cargo tie down fittings. The loads are secured by nets and different size strips. It can be applied also external cargo sling with cargo hook provided by Onboard Systems. It can carry loads up to 650kgs. The SW-4 can be fitted with external cargo hook enabling the use of conventional Bambi Bucket of 455 liters.

Excellent flying qualities and high inherent safety make the PZL SW-4 extremely suitable for training operations. It is possible to configure the helicopter for basic and advanced flying training. The use of the SW-4 for training purposes by the Polish Army ensures it meets military pilot training regulations and NATO standards. PZL SW-4 can be equipped with dual controls powered by hydraulic amplifiers, crashworthy seats, dual pilot instrument panel, additional comm.-nav. unit, emergency simulation unit. The helicopter is capable for pilot training at day and night flights simulating IFR conditions and NVG training for day and night flights.

The Law enforcement version may be fitted out with the following specialist role equipment: thermal imaging and TV camera, ground data link system, situational awareness system, intercom, radio-communication systems, searchlight, loudspeaker system with siren, hoist, NVG, rappelling installation.

Aero medical conversion and modifications allows for the installation of medical equipment and the carriage of 1 x stretcher and 1 x medical flight attendant. Interior can be fitted out with medical equipment installation according to arrangements. The equipment can be first-aid kit, medical case, rescue blanket, racks for medical instruments, cabinet, oxygen bottle, easy clean flooring and/or carpets. It can hold further utensils as internal communication system (ICS) on helicopter board, ground data link communication system with medical center, hoist.

The Polish Air Force is going to purchase 47 units of SW-4 helicopter by the year 2010 - announced gen. Ryszard Olszewski - head of Air Force on 14 May 2002. Entirely, SW-4 will be used for pilots training in Air Force Academy in Deblin. SW-4, new design of PZL-Swidnik engineers is completing its certification flight tests. Two prototypes of the helicopter have flown over 640 hours. There are still another 25 hours to be flown. Certificate meeting FAR - 27/ JAR 27 regulations requirements is supposed to be granted by Polish Civil Aviation Authorities (GILC) in October 2002.

By 2007 two of the first SW-4 Puszczyk training helicopters had been delivered to the Military Pilots School in Deblin. The helicopters had been completely designed and built in Swidnik factory, which is unique in the world's scale, because today, new constructions are created by international consortiums of the biggest producers. SW-4 multipurpose helicopters with 457 hp Rolls-Royce Allison engine are able to transport up to 5 people. Their maximum speed is 280 kph, and their range on single fuel tank is 800 km. They can operate by day and night. One piece of SW-4 in basic version costs approximately US$1 million.

In 2010 and 2011 WSK PZL Swidnik won orders for 39 helicopters. This includes the delivery of 8 transport Sokolów for military aviation of the Philippines (during production); 2 Sokolów and 3 SW-4 for the customer in the PRC; 1 SW-4 to Brazil; 2 SW-4 for the Aviation Academy.