PZL-130 „Orlik“ – the Polish school – training aircraft

The initial design of the aircraft was carried out in 1979-1980 by the chief designer of WSK PZL "Warszawa - Okęcie", senior engineer Andrzej Fridrychewicz. Pre-production design work began in the autumn of 1981, the model was prepared in July 1982, the preparation of project documentation began in the autumn of the same year, and the first prototype was produced on September 3, 1984. It took off for the first time on October 12, 1984. “Orlik” belonged to the latest generation of training aircraft, which are designed as flying simulators of heavy combat aircraft. The main aerodynamic parameters are selected in such a way, that the flight is as close, as possible to the flight characteristics of heavy combat aircraft in any phase of flight, especially during take-off and landing procedures. Such a decision made the training of military pilots about 10 times cheaper. An additional advantage of the “Orlik” aircraft is its modular cockpit design, which allows it to be quickly made to resemble the cockpit of any jet aircraft.

A small and uncomplicated, well-designed (there is quite good detailing of the cabin equipment) model of a training aircraft, that can be put together perfectly even by a modeler with little experience working under the supervision of a more experienced colleague. Antiquarian publication.