Aer Lualdi L.59 ![]()
The L.57 flight testing has proved so satisfactory that it forms the basis for the fully-developed L.59, with more powerful engine and metal rotor blades. The L-59 had more extensive cockpit transparencies and a 260hp Continental IO-470-D engine. A four-seat light general-purpose helicopter with a two-blade main rotor of metal construction, built by Parsons and of the type fitted to the Hiller UH-12C helicopter. Cyclic pitch control is of Hiller "Rotor-Matic" type with Lualdi gyro-stabilizer. The L.59 has a two-blade reinforced plastic tail rotor. The all-metal fuselage has four seats in two pairs, with dual controls for the front pair, and car-type door on each side. The undercarriage was of two tubular metal skids with upturned forward ends and wheels for ground handling (stored under the boom, forward of the tail rotor). The nose mounted engine exhausted through a central exhaust under the fuselage, between the skids. Fuel was in a pair of tanks mounted side-by-side above the cabin on each side of the rotor pylon on pylons. Provision was made for the addition of a rescue hoist and carriage of two litters. Two L.59 prototypes were constructed by Macchi at Varese with technical assistance from Sud Aviation. A test flight programme was flown from 1960 and the commercial type certificate was issued in August 1961 but the programme was terminated as more capable helicopters had become available.
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