Aermacchi SF.260
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The Aermacchi SF.260 is a light aircraft marketed as an aerobatics plane and a military trainer. It was designed by Stelio Frati, originally for Aviamilano, which flew the first prototype of it (then designated F.260) on July 15 1964. Actual production was undertaken when SIAI Marchetti purchased the design soon thereafter and continued with this firm until the company was bought by Aermacchi in 1997. The military versions are popular with smaller air forces, which can also arm it for use in the close-support role.
The design is a conventional one, featuring a low wing and tricycle undercarriage, and is often praised for its sleek lines and sporty appearance. The pilot and up to two passengers (or pilot and one student in trainer versions) are accommodated under a broad, extensively glazed canopy.
The SF.260 holds the airspeed records for aircraft in its class over the 100 km (62 mile) and 1,000 km (621 mile) closed circuits.
The aircraft was marketed in the United States in the late 1960s as the Waco Meteor, although it was in no way connected with the WACO aircraft company.
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[edit] Variants
[edit] Aviamilano
- F.250 - first prototype powered by 187 kW (250 hp) Lycoming O-540-AID
- F.260 - two prototypes powered by 194 kW (260 hp) Lycoming O-540-E4A5
[edit] SIAI Marchetti
- SF.260 - production version of the F.260
- SF.260M - militarised version with strengthened airframe and improved aerodynamics
- SF.260W Warrior - military version with weapons hardpoints
- SF-260B - civil version incorporating improvements of the SF-260M. Introduced 1974
- SF-260C - improved version of the SF-260B. Introduced 1977
- SF-260TP - Allison 250-B17D turboprop version of the SF-260C first flown 1980
- SF-260D - SF-260C with uprated engine and other refinements. Introduced 1985
- SF-260E - uprated SF-260D to compete for a USAF contract but later marketed to other military buyers
- SF-260F - as above, with fuel-injected engine
[edit] Operators
[edit] Military Operators
Belgium: Belgian Air Force
Brunei Darussalam: Royal Brunei Air Force
Burundi: Burundi
Burkina Faso: Burkino Faso Air Force
Burma: Burma Air Force
Chad: Chad Air Force
Comoros: Comores Miltiary Aviation
Ethiopia: Ethopian Air Force
Haiti: Haitian Air Force
Indonesia: Indonesian Air Force
Ireland: Irish Air Corps
Italy: Italian Air Force
Morocco: Moroccan Air Force
Libya: Libyan Air Force
Mauritania: Mauretanian Air Force
Mexico: Mexican Air Force
Nicaragua: Nicaragua Air Force
Philippines: Philippine Air Force
Rhodesia: Rhodesian Air Force
Singapore: Republic of Singapore Air Force
Somalia: Somali Aeronautical Corps
Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka Air Force
Thailand: Royal Thai Air Force
Tunisia: Tunisian Air Force
Turkey: Turkish Air Force
Uganda: Ugandan Air Force
United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi): United Arab Emirates Air Force
Uruguay: Uruguayan Air Force
Venezuela: Venezuela Air Force
Zaire: Congo Air Force/Zaire Air Force
Zambia: Zambian Air Force
Zimbabwe: Air Force of Zimbabwe
[edit] Civil Operators
Out of some 860 SF-260s produced, around 180 have been sold to civil users. Most of these are in private hands, although at least one airline (Sabena) purchased the aircraft as a trainer for airliner pilots.
[edit] Specifications (SF-260C)
[edit] General characteristics
- Crew: one, pilot
- Capacity: two passengers
- Length: 7.10 m (23 ft 4 in)
- Wingspan: 8.35 m (27 ft 5 in)
- Height: 2.41 m (7 ft 11 in)
- Wing area: 10.1 m² (109 ft²)
- Empty: 755 kg (1,664 lb)
- Loaded: kg ( lb)
- Maximum takeoff: 1,102 kg (2,430 lb)
- Powerplant: 1x Lycoming O-540-E4A5, 195 kW (260 hp)
[edit] Performance
- Maximum speed: 347 km/h (215 mph)
- Range: 2,050 km (1,274 miles)
- Service ceiling: 5,790 m (19,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 546 m/min (1,791 ft/min)
- Wing loading: kg/m² ( lb/ft²)
- Power/Mass: kW/kg ( hp/lb)
[edit] Related content
Related development:
Comparable aircraft: Scottish Aviation Bulldog - Saab Supporter
Designation sequence:
[edit] External links
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