Engineering:Aermacchi M-290 RediGO

M-290TP / L-90TP RediGO
Role	Trainer / Liaison
Manufacturer	Valmet Aermacchi
First flight	February 12, 1985
Introduction	March 7, 1985
Status	Operational
Primary users	Finnish Air Force Eritrean Air Force Mexican Navy
Produced	1985–1995
Number built	31
Developed from	Valmet L-70 Vinka Valmet L-80 Turbo-Vinha

The Aermacchi M-290 TP RediGO is a turboprop-powered military basic trainer aircraft and liaison aircraft. It was originally manufactured by Valmet of Finland as the L-90 TP Redigo, a development of their earlier training aircraft for the Finnish Air Force . The L-90 was the last military aircraft designed and produced in Finland.

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. 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.

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.

Operators

Eritrea

Eritrean Air Force 6 in service as of 2011

Finland

Finnish Air Force , the whole fleet retired

Mexico

Mexican Navy 7 in service

Specifications (M-290 TP)

Redigo cockpit

Data from Brassey's World Aircraft and Systems Directory 1999/2000

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

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

Further reading

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