Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Glass Cockpit for the Orlik trainer


Posted by Neelam Mathews
Sept 7, 2011


Even as the Orlik trainer is out of India’s basic trainer race, Airbus Military Polska has signed a contract with the Technical Institute of Aviation Military Forces of Poland to further upgrade the Orlik TC II aircraft by developing and equipping the aircraft with a glass cockpit.

The Orlik is a tandem two-seat basic and advanced trainer aircraft. This upgrade will greatly reduce the pilot’s workload and improve the safety and efficiency of flight operations and position the Orlik for the international market place, says Airbus Military.

The Orlik TCII Glass Cockpit version is scheduled to be developed and certified in the second half of 2013.

The Orlik TC I had its maiden flight in 1989, produced at the time by PZL Warszawa-Okęcie”. The Orlik TC II, a redesign of the TC I with improved wing, engine and  avionics, produced by Airbus Military Polska (formerly EADS PZL Warszawa Okecie) first flew in 2010. Currently, 28 Orlik aircraft are in service with the Polish Air Force.

PZL Warszawa Okecie, currently Airbus Military Polska, was acquired by Airbus Military (then EADS CASA) in 2001. It has two sites, Warsaw and Mielec, employing over 500 people. The industrial activities range from the design and manufacturing of light trainer aircraft to the manufacturing of sub-assemblies for the Airbus Military CN235 and C295, and wiring harnesses for several commercial Airbus types. The Mielec division is dedicated to agro-services and maintenance including C295.

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