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92-878: Production was initially supported by a local order for 118 aircraft, with options for an additional 50 units in October 1980. It was later matched by an Egyptian licence-produced purchase in 1993 and subsequently by a variant known as the Short Tucano , which was licence-produced in the United Kingdom . The Tucano made inroads into the military trainer arena and became one of Embraer's first international marketing successes. A total of 664 units were produced (504 by Embraer and 160 by Short Brothers ), flying in 16 air forces over five continents. The Brazilian military government considered aircraft strategic equipment, and in an effort to reduce dependency from foreign companies,

184-472: A horizontal stabilizer , is a small lifting surface located on the tail ( empennage ) behind the main lifting surfaces of a fixed-wing aircraft as well as other non-fixed-wing aircraft such as helicopters and gyroplanes . Not all fixed-wing aircraft have tailplanes. Canards , tailless and flying wing aircraft have no separate tailplane, while in V-tail aircraft the vertical stabilizer , rudder , and

276-531: A Tucano was used to intercept an aircraft with 550 kilograms (1,210 lb) of cocaine. In February 2012, the military of Honduras and Embraer began a study of the aging AT-27 cells for a possible reconditioning program. Later on that month, the Honduras defence minister disclosed that the reconditioning of six aircraft would cost US$ 10 million. In May of the same year, a Tucano intercepted an aircraft from which 400 kilograms (880 lb) of cocaine were seized. In

368-604: A complete overhaul before being delivered, receiving wing hard points for gun pods and new radios. The type is based at Atar in the northwest of the country, where they are used in attack missions against Al-Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) guerrillas. In March 2012, Mauritanian EMB-312Fs intruded into Mali air space while attacking AQIM terrorist targets inside Mali; the two countries are cooperating in military action against these terrorists. Paraguay received six aircraft in 1987. Six more were purchased in

460-534: A desire to replace the T-37, specifying that the replacement would need to be cheap to operate, designed to closely imitate the characteristics of jet aircraft and should have ejection seats. During the 1970s the Brazilian Air Force operated over 100 piston-powered Neiva Universal basic trainers. Encouraged to undertake a follow-on project known as "Universal II", Indústria Aeronáutica Neiva rolled out

552-469: A frameless bubble canopy for unobstructed visibility. Major aircraft features include an automatic torque control system and the jet-like, single-lever throttle which combined both engine power and propeller pitch, assuring smooth and rapid acceleration and deceleration. The aircraft is fitted with a retractable tricycle undercarriage with steerable nosewheels, allowing a fairly large crab angle during cross-wind landing. The reverse pitch control with which

644-516: A lifting tailplane can be made stable. An example is provided by the Bachem Ba 349 Natter VTOL rocket-powered interceptor, which had a lifting tail and was both stable and controllable in flight. Some aircraft and flight modes can require the tailplane to generate substantial downforce. This is particularly so when flying slowly and at a high angle of attack (AoA). On some types, the demand in this flight mode has been so extreme that it has caused

736-464: A major difference being the integration of an Electronic Engine Controller (EEC) system. On 30 December 1986, the first standard production model Tucano T.Mk 1 was flown; its official rollout took place on 20 January 1987. On 10 March 1987, the second aircraft made its first flight, and, by April, a third Tucano had joined the test fleet for clearance and final testing, which was largely undertaken at MOD Boscombe Down. The fourth aircraft to be built

828-415: A major modification, including a smaller fuselage with an upright cruciform tail instead of a swept-back tail; a more domed canopy; extended elevators ; greater distance between the nosewheel and back wheel; reduction of the wing root ; and an increased wingspan , tailplane , and landing gear. By late 1979, a full-scale mock-up was built with a cockpit for the evaluation of flight instruments , and

920-506: A similar effect when spun , while the McDonnell Douglas T-45 Goshawk suffered excess downwash from the wing when the flaps were deployed, necessitating a small "SMURF" surface fixed to the fuselage, such that it aligned with the stabilizer leading-edge root at the critical angle. Using a computer to control the elevator allows aerodynamically unstable aircraft to be flown in the same manner. Aircraft such as

1012-520: A subscale, radio-controlled research model was designed to evaluate the free-flight characteristics before building a full-scale prototype. Within 21 months of the contract having been signed, the first prototype took flight on 16 August 1980, bearing the FAB serial 1300. The second prototype flew for the first time on 10 December 1980, implementing system accessibility enhancements to trim down maintenance overheads. Weapons captive flight trials resulted in

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1104-445: A tailplane gives damping. This is caused by the relative wind seen by the tail as the aircraft rotates around the centre of gravity. For example, when the aircraft is oscillating, but is momentarily aligned with the overall vehicle's motion, the tailplane still sees a relative wind that is opposing the oscillation. Depending on the aircraft design and flight regime, its tailplane may create positive lift or negative lift (downforce). It

1196-424: A −30 g dive, resulting in a complete disintegration of the airframe. Both the pilot and co-pilot were able to safely eject. The tailplane leading edge of the first prototype was modified, and requirements were cleared in 1983, after which it achieved a maximum diving speed of 607.5 kilometres per hour (328.0 kn; 377.5 mph). A third prototype YT-27, further modified from the previous two prototypes, received

1288-619: Is a licence-built version of the Brazilian Embraer EMB 312 Tucano . On 14 February 1986, the prototype conducted its maiden flight in Brazil before being delivered to Shorts to be used as a pattern aircraft and modified to meet Royal Air Force (RAF) requirements and used for trials and demonstrations. The first Short-assembled aircraft flew on 30 December 1986; deliveries to the RAF commenced during June 1988. The final example of

1380-440: Is characterised by: Some locations have been given special names: A wing with a conventional aerofoil profile makes a negative contribution to longitudinal stability. This means that any disturbance (such as a gust) which raises the nose produces a nose-up pitching moment which tends to raise the nose further. With the same disturbance, the presence of a tailplane produces a restoring nose-down pitching moment, which may counteract

1472-520: Is most often provided using the whole tailplane in the form of an all-flying tailplane or stabilator. A tailplane usually has some means allowing the pilot to control the amount of lift produced by the tailplane. This in turn causes a nose-up or nose-down pitching moment on the aircraft, which is used to control the aircraft in pitch. Elevator : A conventional tailplane normally has a hinged aft surface called an elevator , Stabilator or all-moving tail : In transonic flight shock waves generated by

1564-501: Is on display at Ulster Aviation Society museum , Maze Long Kesh, Lisburn, Northern Ireland Data from Air International, Vol. 26, Issue 6 , and armament data from Air International, Vol. 24, Issue 1 . General characteristics Performance Armament Related development Short Tucano The Short Tucano is a two-seat turboprop basic trainer built by Short Brothers in Belfast, Northern Ireland . It

1656-505: Is sometimes assumed that on a stable aircraft this will always be a net down force, but this is untrue. On some pioneer designs, such as the Bleriot XI , the centre of gravity was between the neutral point and the tailplane, which also provided positive lift. However this arrangement can be unstable and these designs often had severe handling issues. The requirements for stability were not understood until shortly before World War I –

1748-675: The Academia da Força Aérea (AFA), the EMB-312 is flown on the last year as an advanced training vector. After flying 75 hours on the Neiva Universal basic training aircraft, the student pilots progress to fly 125 hours of advanced training on the Tucano, in which cadets learn to dominate the airplane with acrobatics, precision manoeuvring, instrumental flight, and fly-pasts. Brazilian Naval Aviation cadets are required to fly 100 hours on

1840-622: The Amazon rainforest , a Brazilian Air Force cadet suggested the aircraft be named the "Tucano" (English: toucan ), and this was approved on 23 October 1981. An agreement was signed in May 1984 between Embraer and Short Brothers to modify the EMB 312 to meet a Royal Air Force requirement for a high-performance, turbo-prop trainer to replace the BAC Jet Provost issued in 1983. Short Brothers

1932-527: The BAC Jet Provost as the basic trainer for the RAF, preparing the student pilots for progression to the Hawk T1 advanced trainer aircraft. Following its introduction, the Tucano had reportedly proven to be roughly 70% cheaper to operate than its predecessor. The Tucano's accident record has also been remarkably better than other ab-initio training aircraft, with only five aircraft written off with no fatalities in over 20 years. In March 2007, while discussing

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2024-597: The Cenepa War , loaded with four Mk.82 bombs and equipped with night-vision goggles, a fleet of Tucanos carried out a night bomber raid targeting Ecuadorian forces over the Cordillera del Cóndor at dawn on 5 February 1995. The aircraft were part of the 2002 Quiñones Plan, which was implemented in 2007 and aimed at putting unserviceable equipment back into service. In March 2012, the Peruvian Air Force

2116-636: The EMB-314 Super Tucano (ALX) now in production for FAB. The Embraer EMB 312F MSN 312496, a former aircraft of the Armée de l'Air is on display in Musée de l'air et de l'espace from 2014 in a typical French livery. The Embraer EMB 312F MSN 312499, is on display at the Musée Européen de l'Aviation de Chasse d'Ancône. Short/Embraer EMB 312S prototype MSN 312007 G-BTUC (ex PP-ZTC)

2208-481: The F-16 are flown with artificial stability. The advantage of this is a significant reduction in drag caused by the tailplane, and improved maneuverability. At transonic speeds, an aircraft can experience a shift rearwards in the center of pressure due to the buildup and movement of shockwaves. This causes a nose-down pitching moment called Mach tuck . Significant trim force may be needed to maintain equilibrium, and this

2300-462: The IA-73 , a primary trainer to replace EMB-312 Tucano. The type aircraft will be relocated to the northern Argentina, where they will be armed and used for air interdiction and surveillance role. A total of 118 T-27s were purchased by the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) with an option for a further 50 aircraft. On 29 September 1983, the first units were delivered as an aerobatic demonstration aircraft for

2392-536: The Kuwait Air Force were suitable furnished to be combat-capable; they were armed for the purposes of both weapons training and light attack duties; such aircraft are fitted with four hard points , each capable of mounting various rocket pods , cannons , bombs , and external fuel tanks . Due to its Garrett engine, the Short Tucano is more responsive to thrust changes and is somewhat noisier than

2484-805: The Morane-Saulnier MS.760 Paris . Based at the Military Aviation School in Cordoba, the Tucanos were used as trainer aircraft for the Joint Basic Course of Military Aviation program, producing pilots for the Argentine Air Force, Navy, and Army. In the first 25 years of its service with the Argentine Air Force, the aircraft accumulated 104,000 flight hours and trained over 800 pilots. FAdeA is developing

2576-721: The PT6A -powered EMB-311 counter-insurgency aircraft based on the Carajá. None of the proposals was acceptable to the Air Force, but interest was expressed in the higher-performance EMB-311. Later on that same year, the Ministry of Aeronautics ( Ministério da Aeronáutica ) released a new requirement. Therefore, in January 1978, Embraer's design team, which was led by Guido Fontegalante Pessotti and included Joseph Kovacs, commenced to redesign

2668-675: The Royal Air Force and licensed for export. The type features a more powerful Honeywell 820 kW (1,100 shp) Garrett TPE331 -12B engine with four-blade, variable-pitch propeller, custom avionics, structural strengthening expanding fatigue life to 12,000hr, two-piece canopy for better bird strike proofing, pressurized cabin , a ventral airbrake, aerodynamic changes to the wing, better wheel brakes, and an optional armament capability. A prototype built in 1986 with Garrett engine A Northrop/Embraer developed prototype for USAF (JPATS) competition for an advanced trainer, from which derived

2760-647: The engine-indicating and crew-alerting system . The first prototype will be designed and produced by Embraer in Brazil, while remaining work will be completed at the Corporation of the Colombian Aeronautic Industry SA (Corporación de la Industria Aeronáutica Colombiana S.A.) In December 1983, a US$ 181 million contract was signed for 10 complete aircraft plus a further 110 aircraft in kit form. The joint Egyptian/Iraqi purchase involved an extensive technology transfer program which included

2852-539: The interwar years that had positive lift tailplanes include, chronologically, the Sopwith Camel , Charles Lindbergh 's Spirit of St. Louis , the Gee Bee Model R Racer - all aircraft with a reputation for being difficult to fly, and the easier-to-fly Fleet Finch two-seat Canadian trainer biplane, itself possessing a flat-bottom airfoiled tailplane unit not unlike the earlier Bristol Scout. But with care

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2944-504: The 1960s and 1970s. In the 1970s, oil prices rapidly increased with the price of a crude oil barrel having risen from $ 3 in 1973 to $ 36 by 1980, deflating the Brazilian economy. At that time, the Brazilian Air Force operated the J69 -powerered Cessna T-37C , which was a 1950s design and following the 1970s energy crisis , became expensive to operate. In 1977, the Brazilian Air Force expressed

3036-564: The Amazon for border patrols and interception of illicit flights, jointly operating with SIVAM (Amazon Surveillance System). Fourteen AT-27s were ordered in 1992, and delivery of the first six units took place in December of the same year, followed by seven more units arriving later that same month. Assigned to the Combat 212 Squadron, the aircraft were initially conceived as trainers, although

3128-451: The Brazilian Air Force as the A-29. Many features of the EMB-312 became standard in later basic-training aircraft designs. It was the first turboprop trainer developed from the beginning with military jet capability. A Martin-Baker Mk8L was fitted. It was Embraer's first aircraft with tandem seats designed with a raised rear seat optimized for an uninterrupted view from the rear cockpit and

3220-644: The British military contribution to the War in Afghanistan , the British Parliament discussed the concept of replacing the region's detachment of RAF Harriers and Tornados , which were being used to provide close air support to Allied forces, with a number of armed Short Tucanos, which would be re-roled as a dedicated counter-insurgency asset. Such use would have required extensive modifications to

3312-703: The Colombian borders. On 27 November 1992, the aircraft were used by mutineering officers who staged a coup d'état against President Carlos Andrés Pérez . The rebels dropped bombs and launched rockets against police and government buildings in Caracas . One EMB-312 and two OV-10 Broncos were shot down during the uprising by F-16s flown by loyalist pilots. A lot of 12 is scheduled to be refurbished in Venezuela as of 2013. The standard production model with fatigue life of 8,000 hours: An uprated version built for

3404-723: The E-June UAV at Kom Awshim. In 2023 the Tucanos still operate from Inshas (25 Sqn), Ismaïla (25 Sqn) and Hurghada (35 Sqn) for pilot training at the AT-802 Air Tractor. Following a world trend towards the replacement of jet trainers with lower-cost, turboprop trainers, in July 1990 the French Air Force initially ordered 80 slightly modified variants, designated as the EMB-312F . The two-year-long negotiation deal

3496-522: The EMB-311 to produce the EMB-312. On 6 December 1978, Embraer was officially awarded a contract to produce two prototypes and two airframes for fatigue tests. The specifications were concluded in February 1979, and the main differences from the EMB-311 were the more powerful PT6A-25C engine, raised rear cockpit , and the addition of ejection seats . Eventually, the original specifications underwent

3588-811: The Escuadrón de Entrenamiento No. 142 "Escorpiones" based in Maracay , to the Grupo 13 at the Escuadrón de Operaciones Especiales No. 131 "Zorros" based in Barcelona , and Grupo de Operaciones Especiales No. 15 at the Escuadrón No.152 "Avispones" based in Maracaibo . The AT-27s, along with the OV-10 Broncos , were actively involved in many antiguerrilla, antinarcotic, and antikidnapping campaigns close to

3680-559: The FAB Demonstration Squadron, the " Smoke Squadron " ( Esquadrilha da Fumaça ), and the first demonstration took place in December the same year. In 1990, the FAB confirmed an order of 10 units from the 50 options held from the original Tucano contract in 1980. Eventually, the FAB received the remaining 40 aircraft, raising the total number of delivered units to 168. As part of the FAB's four-year pilot-training program at

3772-602: The FAP Tucanos were actively involved in ground attack operations over the Cenepa River on drug-busting operations, shooting down over 65 planes and performing attacks on several illicit ships. Between 1992 and 2001, the Air Bridge Denial Program provided intelligence for the Air Force in counter-drug operations; during the program, at least nine civilian aircraft were shot down by AT-27s. During

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3864-733: The French Air Force, the EMB-312F is equipped with Telecommunications Electronique Aeronautique et Maritime (TEAM SA, part of Cobham plc) avionics, Thomson-CSF (now Thales Group ) navigation aids , increased fatigue life, propeller and canopy de-icing system and a ventral airbrake . The first EMB-312F flew on 7 April 1993. Also known as the Short Tucano , the EMB-312S is an uprated, licence-produced trainer version built at Short Brothers of Belfast in Northern Ireland for

3956-580: The French Tucano fleet was withdrawn on 22 July 2009, despite the fact that most aircraft had only reached half of their potential operational life. Honduras, the Tucano's first foreign customer, purchased the type to replace the North American T-28 Trojan . Twelve EMB-312s were received between 1982 and 1983. The aircraft are used for both advanced training and patrolling Honduran airspace for illegal flights. On 14 April 2003,

4048-543: The Peruvian Air Force. The AT-27s were assigned to carry out air strikes and surveillance missions during the Angolan Civil War . Two further stored EMB-312 demonstrators (s/n 055 and s/n149) were delivered to cover aircraft losses during the war. In June 1987, the Argentine Air Force received the first batch of 15 aircraft from a total of 30 aircraft on order, and the type was assigned to replace

4140-547: The RAF aircraft, as they were not fitted with underwing hard points for mounting armaments and equipment upon. Air Chief Marshal Stephen Dalton was dismissive of this suggested use of the Tucano, stating that it would cost lives amongst those on the ground and damage Britain's credibility and influence within the coalition forces in Afghanistan, and criticising its lack of operational flexibility. The RAF's Tucanos have been typically maintained by private companies, defence firm VT Group operated one such support contract during

4232-691: The RAF had issued Air Staff Target 412 , defining the performance criteria it desired for a new high-performance turboprop -powered basic trainer. A short list was compiled of various aircraft that had been submitted in response; other than the Tucano, the types considered were the Swiss Pilatus PC-9 , the British NDN-1T Turbo-Firecracker and the Australian Aircraft Consortium 's (AAC) A.20 Wamira II . During 1984, Embraer dispatched

4324-518: The Strategic Development Plan (Plan Estratégico Institucional, or PEI) 2011–2030 designed to extend the type's lifespan by 15 years, the structural retrofit program involves fitting the airframe with new wings and landing gear. Fresh avionics will be installed with the up-to-date Rockwell Collins Inertial Navigation System and ACARS ), while Cobham will supply modern multi-function displays , flight management systems and

4416-630: The Tucano at the AFA during the first stage of the three-year training program. According to a Brazilian Air Force brigadier, the AFA Tucanos are forecast to be withdrawn in 2022. During Operation Traira in February 1991, six Tucanos were used for close air support against a group of 40 rebels from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia ( FARC ), which had seized a Brazilian military detachment. AT–27s were extensively used in

4508-665: The Tucano he was piloting crashed in central California in a remote region of the Los Padres National Forest about 60 miles (97 km) north of Santa Barbara . Horner was the sole occupant of the plane. Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft, 1988–1989 and Tucano T Mk 1 Aircrew Manual, 2015 General characteristics Performance Armament Related development Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Related lists Tailplane A tailplane , also known as

4600-443: The Tucanos in counter-insurgency missions, forming the squads "Gamma" and "Omega" since 1996. In April 2011, Paraguayan Tucano fitted with 20 mm autocannon gun pods and ferry tanks were deployed at Mariscal Estigarribia Air Base to monitor illicit flights entering Paraguayan airspace from Bolivia. In 1986, Peru ordered 20 Tucanos to replace the Cessna T-37 Tweet. Deliveries to the Peruvian Air Force commenced in April 1987 at

4692-405: The addition of a fin fillet to improve lateral stability . In August 1982, the second prototype was lost during clearance trials, in which full rudder was applied when the type exceeded the maximum designed diving speed ( Vd ) of 539 kilometres per hour (291 kn; 335 mph) by 64.7 kilometres per hour (34.9 kn; 40.2 mph), causing the leading edge skin to tear apart, followed by

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4784-415: The addition of sections fore and aft of the cockpit to restore its centre of gravity and stability, a strengthened airframe, cockpit pressurization, and stretched nose to house the more powerful PT6A-67R (1.424 Shp) engine. The PT-ZTW, s/n 161, flew in September 1991. Two new prototypes EMB-312H with the PT6A-68A (1.250 Shp) engine were built in 1993. The second prototype PT-ZTV, s/n 454 (later PP-ZTV) flew for

4876-457: The aircraft is fitted allows the constant-speed mechanism to be manually overridden to reverse the blade pitch angle, thus providing excellent ground-handling characteristics, helping to slow down the plane to shorten the landing run. This control also allows the aircraft to back up on its own during taxiing . High manoeuvrability, stability at low speeds, and four underwing pylons providing for up to 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) of ordnance, allow

4968-420: The aircraft to perform night missions. The war scenario led the Air Force to push the type beyond its designed horizon to overcome its operational limits and role-playing as a real battlefield maturing test platform, providing valuable lessons which unfolded into new requirements that were implemented in the Super Tucano design. In 2011, Embraer began a three-year program to locally uprate 14 EMB-312s. A part of

5060-411: The airframes reportedly had around 8,000 flying hours remaining; some aerodynamic refinements had also been mooted but were dismissed as not being cost-effective. By 2010, the Tucano fleet was scheduled to be withdrawn from RAF service in 2015, at which point it was to have been replaced by the winner of the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) programme. However, the type's out of service date

5152-424: The civilian registration mark PP-ZDK, and flew on 16 August 1982. The following month, the prototype made its international debut at the Farnborough Airshow , crossing the Atlantic just a few days after its maiden flight. The type was designated by the Brazilian Air Force as the T-27 for training purposes and the AT-27 for ground attack in counter-insurgency missions. Inspired by one of the most well-known birds in

5244-413: The company was acquired by Embraer. In 1973, designer Joseph Kovács moved from Neiva to Embraer, bringing with him a number of studies based on the Neiva Universal, including a development of the tandem-seat, turboprop Carajá. In early 1977, Embraer forwarded two proposals for the Brazilian Air Force trainer requirement: the Lycoming TIO-541 -powered EMB-301 basic trainer based on the Neiva Universal and

5336-429: The early 2010s. During July 2008, the Tucano's envisioned retirement date was moved from 2010 to around 2012, although further extension seemed likely. At one point, Marshall Aerospace were championing the concept of upgrading the Tucano fleet as an inexpensive means of meeting the RAF's future basic trainer requirements; the prospective upgrade would have been largely based around cockpit instrumentation improvements as

5428-435: The eastern Iranian borders. Iraq bought 80 aircraft produced under license by Helwan, with deliveries being completed in 1987. Following the end of the Gulf and Iraq wars , Iraq had no EMB-312 in its inventory. In 2011, the Islamic Air Force of Mauritania received pilot training from the French Air Force and four ex-French EMB-312Fs, which still had two-thirds of their structural life, were delivered. The aircraft underwent

5520-522: The era within which the British Bristol Scout light biplane was designed for civilian use, with an airfoiled lifting tail throughout its production run into the early World War I years and British military service from 1914 to 1916 – when it was realised that moving the centre of gravity further forwards allowed the use of a non-lifting tailplane in which the lift is nominally neither positive nor negative but zero, which leads to more stable behaviour. Later examples of aircraft from World War I and onwards into

5612-407: The first production model taking place in 1995. The aircraft were based in Salon-de-Provence, replacing the Fouga Magister which had provided training for Air Force students for nearly 40 years. Following the type's introduction, the Air Force training scheme began with the Epsilon , continued on the Tucano and culminated with the Alpha Jet for lead-in fighter training . After 15 years in service,

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5704-419: The first time in May 1993. It featured a reinforced wing skin developed for the model F, an improved glass cockpit, full pressurization system, electrical swing back canopy opening and zero-zero ejections seats. The third prototype PT(PP)-ZTF, s/n 455, flew in October 1993, as a twin of the s/n 454. The EMB-312H's design later served as a starting point for the EMB-314 Super Tucano , dubbed the ALX, and adopted by

5796-479: The following month, a Honduran Tucano shot down a drug-smuggling, twin-engined prop Cessna over the Bay Islands , killing the two occupants, including an undercover DEA agent. Honduran law does not permit shooting down illegal flights, so the event led to the dismissal of the Honduran general who ordered the attack. Iran received 25 aircraft between 1989 and 1991. Between 2000 and 2001, the IRGC used Tucanos against Taliban positions and in drug-busting operations in

5888-540: The front of the tailplane render any elevator unusable. An all-moving tail was developed by the British for the Miles M.52 , but first saw actual transonic flight on the Bell X-1 ; Bell Aircraft Corporation had included an elevator trim device that could alter the angle of attack of the entire tailplane. This saved the program from a costly and time-consuming rebuild of the aircraft. Transonic and supersonic aircraft now have all-moving tailplanes to counteract Mach tuck and maintain maneuverability when flying faster than

5980-440: The late 1990s, but the deal fell through, and these machines ended up being the second batch sold to Angola. On 29 December 2010, three used ex-Brazilian aircraft were exchanged for four EMB-326GB (Xavante) trainer aircraft and one Boeing-707 transport aircraft. In 2011, the Paraguayan Tucanos with assistance from the Brazilian Air Force, went through a complete engine overhaul. The 3o Escuadrón de caza "Moros" in Asunción operates

6072-555: The manufacturing of some aircraft parts and final assembly at Heliopolis Air Works in Helwan , becoming Embraer's first experience in assembling aircraft abroad. Eighty of the 110 units built in Egypt were delivered to Iraq. The first aircraft arrived in late 1984 and the first unit assembled in Egypt was delivered in 1985. An additional order for 14 aircraft was made in 1989, bringing the total to 54 Tucanos. The EMB312 Tucano trainers were flown with 6 squadron, 25 squadron and 35 squadron. No. 6 Squadron retired their Tucanos and transformed to

6164-408: The mid-1980s, as Embraer was working on the Short Tucano, the company also developed a new version designated the EMB-312G1. Also using a Garrett engine, the EMB-312G1 prototype flew for the first time in July 1986. However, the Brazilian Air Force showed no interest, and the project was dropped. Nonetheless, the lessons from recent combat use of the aircraft in Peru and Venezuela led Embraer to continue

6256-417: The natural instability of the wing and make the aircraft longitudinally stable (in much the same way a weather vane always points into the wind). The longitudinal stability of an aircraft may change when it is flown "hands-off"; i.e. when the flight controls are subject to aerodynamic forces but not pilot input forces. In addition to giving a restoring force (which on its own would cause oscillatory motion)

6348-429: The need to re-engine the aircraft in order to satisfy the RAF's requirement for time to height; accordingly, the Garrett TPE331 was selected. On 21 March 1985, the Short Tucano proposal was declared the winner of the AST.412, receiving a contract worth £126 million for the provision of 130 aircraft, along with an option for a further 15; this option was never taken up. The first flight of the prototype EMB-312G2, which

6440-402: The original Tucano. In addition to the revised engine, the major differences of the Short Tucano are a strengthened airframe for an improved fatigue life, a cockpit layout similar to the RAF's Hawk advanced trainer, a revised oxygen system, a flight data recorder , a four-bladed propeller, ventral airbrake and restyled wingtips. Two Martin-Baker MB 8LC ejection seats are used and the canopy

6532-405: The price of one Eurofighter we could have a squadron of Super Tucanos. They can carry the same ordnance as a Harrier, with its loud bang, but unlike the Harrier, which can be over the battlefield for no more than 20 minutes, Tucanos can loiter overhead for hours on end, ready for use in a ground attack at a moment’s notice." House of Commons debate, October 2007. The Short Tucano succeeded

6624-421: The prototype N621A (YT-25A) in 1975 with an extended body, four hard points, and the more powerful 400 hp Lycoming IO-720-A1A engine which drove a three-bladed Hartzell propeller. The YT-25B prototype, a further modified version with six hard points, flew on 22 October 1978, but it did not meet requirements since the type was slower and smaller, and had side-by-side seats and a rear jump seat. Two years later,

6716-664: The rate of two units per month; the last delivery took place in November 1987. In 1991, an additional 10 Tucanos were purchased for antidrug operations, reaching a total of 30 aircraft, although six of them were resold to Angola in 2002. The first EMB-312s took part in the Escuadrón de Instrucción básica No. 512 from the Air Academy as part of the Grupo de Entrenamiento 51 based at Las Palmas – Lima . Another squadron of EMB-312s

6808-616: The seventh EMB-312 airframe off the production line to Shorts, where it received numerous modifications in order to meet the AST-412 requirements. During September 1984, this same aircraft was displayed at the Farnborough Airshow ; by this point, it had been equipped with an uprated PT6A-25C2 engine and a ventral air brake , which reportedly enabled the Tucano to achieve the required stall speed of 60 kn. However, tests undertaken at MOD Boscombe Down later on that year indicated

6900-510: The state-owned Embraer was established in 1969. A production license to assemble the MB.326 was acquired in 1970 to familiarize the company with military design, and in 1973, the Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante was introduced with two Pratt & Whitney PT6A engines. After all-jet training program trials during the 1950s, a variety of propeller-driven aircraft were used for pilot training during

6992-514: The studies. It also researched a helicopter attack version designated as the "helicopter killer" or EMB-312H. The study was stimulated by the unsuccessful bid for the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System program, in which Embraer teamed with Northrop Grumman . In 1991, one existing demo EMB-312 aircraft was modified as proof-of-concept prototype. The aircraft featured a 1.37-m (4.49-ft) fuselage extension with

7084-482: The tail-plane and elevator are combined to form two diagonal surfaces in a V layout. The function of the tailplane is to provide stability and control. In particular, the tailplane helps adjust for changes in position of the centre of pressure or centre of gravity caused by changes in speed and attitude, fuel consumption, or dropping cargo or payload. The tailplane comprises the tail-mounted fixed horizontal stabilizer and movable elevator . Besides its planform , it

7176-571: The tailplane to stall. On the Gloster Meteor T.7 a stall could be triggered by turbulence when the airbrakes were deployed. On the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II it initially occurred during takeoff and landing approach, and leading-edge slats were fitted to the tailplane upside-down in order to maintain smooth airflow and downforce "lift" at high AoA. The Pilatus P-3 trainer required a ventral keel to cure

7268-571: The training aircraft to engage in tactical bombing campaigns in low-intensity conflict or counterinsurgency environments and in counternarcotics interceptions. The type can carry up to 694 litres (183 US gal) of fuel internally; additionally, two fuel tanks of 660 litres (170 US gal) can be fitted to underwing weapon stations for extended endurance, enabling up to nine flight hours. The National Air Force of Angola (Força Aérea Nacional Angolana, FANA ) received eight new AT-27s in 1998. Six more AT-27s were purchased four years later from

7360-446: The type commenced thereafter. The type has been principally operated by No. 1 Flying Training School , based at RAF Linton-on-Ouse , where it has been used to provide basic fast-jet flying training to RAF and RN student pilots, on 72 (Reserve) Squadron . Typically, student pilots would fly around 130 hours during their training course on the Tucano before progressing to the jet-powered Hawk T2 aircraft, based at RAF Valley . "For

7452-403: The type was completed in 1995. Maintenance and support of the RAF's Tucano fleet was typically outsourced to several private companies. The RAF was the Tucano's primary operator, although export sales have been achieved with the nations of Kenya and Kuwait . A handful have also been purchased and piloted by private individuals. On 25 October 2019, the Tucano was withdrawn from RAF service and

7544-540: The type was soon additionally assigned to perform close air support and air superiority missions as part of counter-insurgency operations during the long-standing and brutal fight with the FARC. The type performed dozens of operations including Vuelo de Angel , Thanatos , Fenix and Júpiter . Over 50,000 flight hours have been completed since the type's introduction without a single loss. In 1998, with Peruvian Air Force assistance, night vision goggles were integrated into

7636-438: The type was used to shoot down an Aero Commander 500 with 7.62 mm (0.30 in) machine gun pods. The two Colombian occupants died during the crash, while 942 kilograms (2,077 lb) of cocaine were collected from the wreckage. In August 2010, a Piper Seneca aircraft coming from Colombia was tracked down by an AT-27. Five criminals were arrested and 550 kilograms (1,210 lb) of cocaine were seized. Three months later,

7728-681: Was an offset for 36 AS365s and 16 AS350s bought by the Brazilian Army and 30 AS355 Ecureuils for the Brazilian Navy . Two preproduction aircraft were built for a year-long evaluation process at the General Directorate for Armament , the first preproduction EMB-312F flew in April 1993. The model had a ventral airbrake and a French COMM system. The total number of aircraft ordered was reduced to 50, with commissioning of

7820-429: Was assigned to Escuadrón Aéreo Táctico No. 514. The first aircraft were painted in orange and white for trainers and gradually replaced by jungle camouflage, while a few were painted dark gray for night missions. Most of these aircraft were adorned with an aggressive shark's mouth. The aircraft cockpit was later modified to suit night-vision goggles and forward-looking infrared sensors for night operations. Since 1991,

7912-622: Was considering an option to modernize 20 EMB-312s in a program jointly conducted by the Brazilian Air Force and Embraer under a wide-ranging defence agreement signed with the Brazilian defence ministry. On 14 July 1986, the Venezuelan Air Force received the first four Embraer EMB-312 Tucano AT/T-27s from an order of 30 aircraft that was worth US$ 50 million. A year later, the remaining aircraft were delivered, divided into two variants: 18 T-27s for training purposes and 12 AT-27s for tactical support. The Tucanos were assigned to Grupo 14 at

8004-552: Was furnished with a four-bladed Hartzell propeller and the Garrett TPE331-10 engine, took place in Brazil on 14 February of the following year. Shortly afterwards, this aircraft was disassembled and airlifted to Short's Belfast facility on 29 March 1986, where it was reassembled and returned to the skies just ten days later. During June of that year, the TPE331-10 engine was replaced by the improved TPE331-12B, with

8096-402: Was modified to meet the RAF's bird strike requirements. During its production run, Shorts commonly promoted the airframe as being "100% British-built". In order to meet RAF requirements, the EMB-312 has some 900 modifications, which reduces its commonality with the original aircraft to roughly 50% of its content. During June 1988, the first Tucano deliveries were made to the RAF; induction of

8188-990: Was put back by several years; the last of the Beechcraft T-6Cs , the Tucano's direct replacement, was delivered to RAF Valley on 3 December 2018. On 25 October 2019, the Tucano was withdrawn from RAF service; to mark the type's retirement, an aerial display was performed at RAF Linton-on-Ouse , North Yorkshire , which was also set for closure. On 22 Feb 1990, the first export Tucano Mk 51 ZH203 (destined for Kenya) crashed near Rathlin Island due to tailplane flutter in high speed weapons carriage trials, killing Shorts Chief Test Pilot Allan Deacon who ejected but drowned. The RAF lost 5 aircraft in service, all non-fatal (four involved ejections): ZF316 on 12 May 1992, ZF270 on 13 May 1996, ZF293 on 22 Aug 2000, ZF344 on 12 Mar 2009 and ZF349 on 8 Jan 2013. On 22 June 2015, movie soundtrack composer James Horner died when

8280-416: Was replaced by the Beechcraft T-6Cs . Development of the Short Tucano commenced in May 1984, following an agreement between Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer and Northern Ireland aviation firm Short Brothers to collaborate on a response to an outstanding British requirement, which sought a replacement for the aging BAC Jet Provost basic trainer for the Royal Air Force (RAF). For this purpose,

8372-540: Was responsible for the final assembly and licence-built 60% of the aircraft parts, although the wings, landing gear, and canopy were built in Brazil. In March 1985, after a competition with other types, the Short Tucano was declared the winner, with an order worth £126 million for 130 aircraft and an option for a further 15. As well as production for the Royal Air Force, the Short Tucano was exported to Kenya (12 Tucano Mk.51s) and Kuwait (16 Tucano Mk.52s). During

8464-586: Was the first delivered to the RAF on 16 June 1988 at the Central Flying School . Deliveries would continue to the RAF for another five years, the final aircraft arriving on 25 January 1993. In addition to the sizable order for the RAF, multiple export customers emerged for the Shorts-produced Tucanos. The Kenyan Air Force ordered a total of 12 units while a further 16 Tucanos were exported to Kuwait. Those Tucanos delivered to

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