Description
SA.330F, J Puma are the civil modifications of SA.330 Puma multipurpose helicopter. The helicopter was developed by French company Sud Aviacion, and features decent flight characteristics, modern aircraft electronics and can transport passengers or cargo in the cabin and underslung under various weather conditions.
Design solutions of SA.330 Puma model
In spring 1965, the French-British helicopter SA.330 Puma performed its first flight, and in early autumn 1969 its civilian version took off – 330F model equipped with French gas turbine turboshaft engines Turbomeca Turmo IVA, with a capacity of 1070 kW (1435 HP) each. Late in 1973, a more advanced model 330F was brought into circulation with a new power unit – Turmo IVC engines and capacity of 1175 kW (1576 HP) each. Its all-weather modification – 330J model is equipped with a meteorological radar, thermal anti-icers and is available in a cargo or passenger modification with a cabin for 8, 9, 12 or 20 people.
The fullmetal semi-monocoque fuselage ends with a monocoque tail boom with an upward-pointing console, where a stabilizer and a five-bladed anti-torque with fullmetal blades and horizontal joints are located. Power units are located outside the fuselage, in front of the main rotor, and are equipped with separate air intakes, with each of the being covered by an aerodynamic shroud.
The first lines of these helicopters were equipped with four-bladed rotors with rectangular fullmetal blades fixed on joins. Since 1976, the blades are made of innovative composite materials based on carbon and glass fibers with a honeycomb core and anti-abrasive protection of the stainless-steel leading edge.
The main rotor is driven by two turboshaft gas-turbine engines via the main gearbox. The helicopter’s flying characteristics remain unchanged in case of failure of one engine; in case both of them fail, the main rotor switches to autorotation and using the angular gear box supports rotation of the anti-torque rotor, electrical generator, oil pump and two hydraulic pumps. Besides the hydraulic boost system, the rotor control system includes solid wiring for the main and cable one – for the anti-torque rotor.
The landing gear is semi-retractable, tricycle equipped with paired wheels on each leg. The legs are controlled be a hydraulic complex. The chassis is equipped with a hydraulic system of disc brakes, as well as hydraulic engines that make it possible to move around the field with the main rotor off. The fuel is located in the central part of the fuselage, under the floor, in four pair-connecting tanks made of soft plastic, with a capacity of 1550 liters. Each tanks pair supplies one engine with fuel.
The cockpit for 2 pilots (it is possible to install a third one) is located in the front part of the helicopter and is separated from the cargo (passenger) compartment by a fire seal. Both cabins are equipped with heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems. The cargo modification features 13 lashing points in the floor and a hatch for cable suspension for cargo weighing up to 2.5 tons. The floor structure is capable of withholding a load of up to 800 kg/m2. The passenger modification features seats.
Capabilities of SA.330 Puma helicopter
Multipurpose mid-range helicopter SA.330 Puma can carry 8, 9, 12, 20 people in the passenger compartment under any weather conditions or transport up to 3.0 tons of cargo in the compartment or up to 2.5 tons underslung.
