Pzl-Swidnik W-3 Erka
The PZL W-3 Sokol is a medium twin-engine helicopter developed in Poland during the late Cold War era as a domestically built alternative to importing Soviet or Western helicopters. Its roomy cabin and twin-engine layout suit it to search-and-rescue, medical evacuation, and utility transport, roles it has filled for the Polish military and emergency services for decades. It remains one of the few helicopter designs still produced by a Central or Eastern European manufacturer largely independent of Russian or Western licensing. Export sales have been modest, keeping it a comparatively uncommon type outside Poland.
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Did you know?
The W-3 Sokol was built as a Cold War-era Polish alternative to importing Soviet or Western helicopters, and remains largely licence-independent.
Specifications
| Length | 14.2 m (47 ft) |
|---|---|
| Height | 4.2 m (14 ft) |
| Rotor diameter | 15.7 m (52 ft) |
| Maximum passengers | 12 |
| Persons on board | 12 |
| Maximum take-off weight | 6.4 t |
| Range | 335 NM (620 km) |
| Maximum speed | 131 kt (243 km/h) |
| Service ceiling | 13,780 ft (4,200 m) |
| Optimum ceiling | 8,000 ft (2,438 m) |
| Rate of climb | 2,000 ft/min (10.2 m/s) |
| Fuel capacity | 1,720 l |
| Engines | 2x PZL-Rzeszow TWD-10W |
| Units built | 149 |
Curated by CatchFlights from manufacturer documents, ICAO Doc 8643 and reference works; values are left out where no source could confirm them. Sources are listed on our credits page.
In CatchFlights
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