The PZL-3 is the first helicopter to be developed and manufactured entirely in Poland. Except for the rotor blades of the main and tail rotor, the machine is conventionally made of metal. The landing gear is not retractable. The machine has two gas turbines to drive the four-bladed rotor made of glass fibre composite material. The rotor has a de-icing system. The permissible temperature range for the PZL W-3 is between -40 and +43 °C. The latest version is W-3A.

The passenger cabin for twelve people can be accessed from both sides via two sliding doors. The baggage compartment is located behind the cabin and is accessible during the flight.

With an additional under-hull tank, the W-3 can also be used as a fire-fighting aircraft.

At AIRPOWER24, a W-3A in the SAR (Save and Rescue) version of the Czech Air Force will be on show in the flying display.