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PZL Kania

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PZL Kania
PZL Kania of the Polish Police
General information
TypeHelicopter
ManufacturerPZL-Świdnik
Primary userPoland
Number built19
History
Manufactured1986–2006
First flight3 June 1979
Developed fromMil Mi-2

The PZL Kania (Polish Kite, also marketed as Kitty Hawk) is a follow-up design to the Mil Mi-2 helicopter, developed in Poland by PZL-Świdnik.

Design and development

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In 1964, an agreement was signed between Poland and the Soviet Union assigning production of the Mil Mi-2 twin-engined light helicopter exclusively to the WSK PZL-Świdnik factory at Świdnik, Poland.[1]

Work on a significantly redesigned version of the Mi-2 started in 1977.[2] PZL decided to develop, in conjunction with the American aero-engine company Allison, a re-engined version for export for western markets, the Kania or Kitty Hawk.[1] The changes include a modified fuselage with more pointed nose, new engines (Allison Model 250-C20B turboshaft engines) each rated at 313 kW (420 hp), new composite rotor blades, and new western avionics. The first prototype, utilizing a modified Mi-2 airframe, was flown on 3 June 1979.[3] Two prototypes were made and two pre-series machines. Tests conducted during the early 1980s led to certification according to FAR-29, in February 1986.[2]

The prototype SP-SSC took part in the 5th Helicopter World Championships in Castle Ashby in 1986.[2] Production started that year in limited quantity, in the PZL Świdnik factory. The helicopter was intended to be a replacement of the Mi-2, more economical, comfortable and offering better performance, and it compared quite favourably with Western counterparts. It did not become popular, however, partly due to problems with certification and a weak promotion in Western countries, and reluctance to spend convertible currency for imported parts in Eastern Bloc countries in the 1980s. Only 19 were built until 2006, including prototypes.[4] It isn't currently offered by PZL-Świdnik.[5]

The main user is the Polish Border Guard, with 7 helicopters (not concurrently). The Polish Police used two helicopters.[4] Three Polish Kanias were employed in air service in Sierra Leone in 1987–1990.[6] In 2007, Świdnik offered 6 armed Kanias for Philippine Air Force, but lost in competition[7] (finally, after cancelling a procedure, PZL W-3 Sokół was chosen).[citation needed]

Variants

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Passenger Standard
Seats for pilot and 9 passengers, individual vents and lighting.[citation needed]
Passenger Executive
Seats for pilot and 5 passengers, luxury finishing, silenced cockpit, individual vents, lighting and audio system.[citation needed]
Cargo
Ability to carry 800 kg (1,764 lb) external loads as a flying crane or to carry up to 1,200 kg (2,646 lb) of load in the cabin.[citation needed]
Medevac / Air ambulance
Equipment and space for up to 4 stretchers or less with paramedic crew on board.[citation needed]
Agricultural
Ability to carry up to 1,000 kg (2,205 lb) of chemicals or agro loads (grains, seeds etc.) and ability to carry on one of following aerial application methods: LV spraying, ULV spraying, dustring and spreading (not built in series, only tested).[citation needed]
Spitfire Taurus II or Super Kania[citation needed]
American version of the PZL Kania, with redesigned fuselage and single 550 shp (410 kW) Allison Model 250-C28 engine, with a big central air inlet, that was to be built under licence in the United States by Spitfire Helicopters but only a mock-up was built.[7]

Operators

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 Cyprus
 Poland
 Slovakia

Specifications

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Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1988–89[3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1 or 2
  • Capacity: 8 or 9 / 1,200 kg (2,646 lb) internal payload, 800 kg (1,764 lb) slung load / 1,000 kg (2,205 lb) chemicals
  • Length: 17.47 m (57 ft 4 in) overall
12.03 m (39 ft) fuselage only
  • Height: 3.75 m (12 ft 4 in) to top of rotor head
  • Empty weight: 2,000 kg (4,409 lb)
  • Gross weight: 3,350 kg (7,385 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 3,550 kg (7,826 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 600 L (160 US gal; 130 imp gal) standard internal fuel, with provision for additional 423 L (112 US gal; 93 imp gal) in auxiliary tanks
  • Powerplant: 2 × Allison 250-C20B turboshaft engines, 313 kW (420 hp) each
  • Main rotor diameter: 14.558 m (47 ft 9 in)
  • Main rotor area: 166.5 m2 (1,792 sq ft)
  • Blade section: NACA 23012M[11]

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 215 km/h (134 mph, 116 kn) maximum cruise
  • Economical cruise speed: 190 km/h (120 mph; 100 kn)
  • Range: 430 km (270 mi, 230 nmi) internal fuel, econ cruise, with 30 minutes reserve
493 km (306 mi; 266 nmi) internal fuel, econ cruise, with no reserve
  • Ferry range: 800 km (500 mi, 430 nmi) maximum fuel, with 30 minutes reserve
863 km (536 mi; 466 nmi) maximum fuel, econ cruise, with no reserve
  • Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13,000 ft)
  • Hover ceiling IGE: 2,500 m (8,202 ft)
  • Hover ceiling OGE: 1,375 m (4,511 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 8.75 m/s (1,722 ft/min)
  • Maximum rate of climb on one engine: 1.017 m/s (3.34 ft/s)

See also

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Related development

References

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  1. ^ a b Taylor, John W.R., ed. (1983). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1982–83 (73rd ed.). London: Jane's Publishing Company. pp. 169–170. ISBN 978-0-7106-0748-5.
  2. ^ a b c Bogdański, Miłosz (2009). "Kania uczy się latać (Kania learns to fly)". Aeroplan (in Polish). 5–6 (80–81). Warsaw: 4–16.
  3. ^ a b Taylor, John W.R., ed. (1988). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1988–89 (79th ed.). London: Jane's Information Group. pp. 188–189. ISBN 0-7106-0867-5.
  4. ^ a b Bogdański, Miłosz (2009). "Lista produkcyjna śmigłowców Kania (Kania production list)". Aeroplan (in Polish). 5–6 (80–81). Warsaw: 46.
  5. ^ Official PZL-Swidnik page [retrieved 11-3-2011]
  6. ^ Bogdański, Miłosz (2009). "Kania w służbie (Kania in service)". Aeroplan (in Polish). 5–6 (80–81). Warsaw: 24–32.
  7. ^ a b Bogdański, Miłosz (2009). "Niezrealizowane projekty i nieudany eksport". Aeroplan (in Polish). 5–6 (80–81). Warsaw: 17–23.
  8. ^ "World Air Forces 2004 pg. 53". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  9. ^ "PZL Kania in Polish Border Guard Service". aeroflight.co.uk. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  10. ^ "PZL "Kania", 1979 ("Kitty Hawk")". samolotypolskie.pl. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  11. ^ Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
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