São Paulo, SP, December 6, 2013 – The A-29 Super Tucano, a single-engine turboprop light attack, advanced training aircraft, this month celebrated 10 years of operations for the Brazilian Air Force (FAB). The aircraft, which was recently selected by the United States Air Force (USAF) for the Light Air Support program (LAS), has surpassed 200,000 flight hours. The aircraft is currently in operation in nine Air Forces in Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia.
Also this year, the A-29 Super Tucano was chosen as the new FAB’s EDA aircraft (Air Demonstration Squadron, better known as “Smoke Squadron”), replacing the venerable T-27 Tucano trainer.
The T-27 Tucano is used in the training of Air Force Academy (AFA) pilots and has been in operations in FAB for 30 years. To celebrate this milestone, one of AFA’s aircraft received a special livery that will be presented to the public for the first time at the aspiring-officers graduation ceremony taking place today (6/12), at the AFA headquarters in Pirassununga (SP).
About A-29 Super Tucano
The A-29 Super Tucano is the result of a project developed according to the rigorous specifications of the Brazilian Air Force. With more than 210 orders and more than 170 delivered airplanes, it is fully compatible with combat operations in complex scenarios. With its reinforced airframe for unpaved runways, the aircraft has advanced navigation and weapon aiming systems, which assure high precision and reliability, using both conventional and smart weapons, even under extreme conditions. The aircraft requires minimal logistical support for continued operations. The A-29 Super Tucano is in operation with nine Air Forces, successfully performing advanced training, border surveillance, light attack and counter-insurgency missions.
About T-27 Tucano
A single-engine low-wing turboprop, the T-27 Tucano is equipped with a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-25C 750 shp engine, with gut propeller and retractable landing gear. It was the first basic turboprop trainer to use tandem configured (one behind the other) ejection seats. Other design innovations were used, such as the advanced cockpit with instruments displayed similarly to those featured in modern jet fighters and the combined engine power and fuel opening and closing controls as well as the single lever propeller operator, making pilot control similar to that of a jet. The first production aircraft were delivered on 29 September 1983. In total, 630 units were produced for the air forces of 14 countries.
Note to Editors
Embraer S.A. (NYSE: ERJ; BM&FBOVESPA: EMBR3) is the world’s largest manufacturer of commercial jets up to 130 seats, and one of Brazil’s leading exporters. Embraer’s headquarters are located in São José dos Campos, São Paulo, and it has offices, industrial operations and customer service facilities in Brazil, China, France, Portugal, Singapore, and the U.S. Founded in 1969, the Company designs, develops, manufactures and sells aircraft and systems for the commercial aviation, executive aviation, and defense and security segments. It also provides after sales support and services to customers worldwide. For more information, please visit www.embraer.com.br.
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