Aircraft
Brazilian Air Force Flies First Modernized Tucano Trainer
Brazil’s air force is upgrading some of its Embraer Tucano trainer fleet so that they are more suited to training pilots for modern aircraft.
The first Embraer Tucano T-27M is seen from the chase aircraft during its maiden flight. The first of two pattern aircraft for evaluation is a former AT-27 light attacker. (Photo: PAMA LS)
The first Embraer Tucano T-27M is seen from the chase aircraft during its maiden flight. The first of two pattern aircraft for evaluation is a former AT-27 light attacker. (Photo: PAMA LS)

The Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB, Brazilian air force) has started flight testing the new T-27M version of Embraer's Tucano trainer. The maiden flight of the first of two pattern aircraft (serial number 1446), was performed on October 23, Brazil’s Day of the Aviator and of the FAB.

The aircraft had been modified by Parque de Material Aeronáutico de Lagoa Santa (PAMA LS), one of the FAB’s major technical centers that performs maintenance on the A-29, T-25, T-27, U-7, U-19, and U-42. The aircraft flew from PAMA LS’s own runway, which is located close to the city of Belo Horizonte in Minas Gerais state. During the two-hour, five-minute flight the T-27M’s emergency and electrical systems were checked, as was the functionality of the new equipment, including attitude reference and navigation. A chase aircraft followed the T-27M throughout.

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