| EMB 121 Xingu | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Utility aircraft |
| National origin | Brazil |
| Manufacturer | Embraer |
| Status | Active |
| Primary users | French Air and Space Force |
| Number built | 106 |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1977-1987 |
| Introduction date | 20 May 1977 |
| First flight | 10 October 1976 |
| Developed from | EMB 110 Bandeirante |
TheEmbraer EMB 121 Xingu (Portuguese pronunciation:[ʃĩˈɡu], named after theXingu River) is a twin-turbopropfixed-wing aircraft built by the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer,Embraer. The design is based on theEMB 110 Bandeirante, using its wing and engine design merged with an all-newfuselage. The EMB 121 first flew on 10 October 1976.[1]
A modified form of the EMB 121, theEMB 121A1 Xingu II, was introduced on 4 September 1981 with a more powerful engine (PT6A-135), increased seating (8 or 9 passengers) and a larger fuel capacity.
Before production ceased in 1987, Embraer had produced 106 EMB 121 aircraft, 51 of which were exported to countries outside Brazil.[2]
In 1975, Embraer began development of a family of three derivatives of itsBandeirante airliner, all of which were to feature a pressurised fuselage andT-tail. The smallest of the three, and the first to be launched, was the EMB-121 Xingu, designed to carry six passengers in a typical layout, with a maximum of nine passengers carried.[3] The Xingu is a low-winged cantilevermonoplane with a retractable tricycle undercarriage and a circular section fuselage. Its wing is based on that used by the Bandeirante, but with reduced wingspan. Like the Bandeirante, it is powered by twoPratt & Whitney Canada PT6Aturboprop engines.[4][5]
The prototype Xingu,registrationPP-ZXI, flew for the first time from Embraer'sSão Paulo factory on 10 October 1976. Testing resulted in a number of changes to improve performance and handling, including increasing wingspan by 0.4 m (1.3 ft) by adding swept wingtips, fitting ayaw damper and adding a large ventral fin.[6] The first production aircraft made its maiden flight on 20 May 1977, and was exhibited at that year'sParis Air Show. The Xingu received its Braziliantype certificate in May 1977, followed by certification by the BritishCivil Aviation Authority in July that year.[6]
On 26 July 1980, Embraer flew the prototype Xingu modified to a new version, with its fuselage stretched by the addition of a 25 cm (9.8 in) plug ahead of the wing and a 64 cm (25 in) plug aft of the wing, with the wing span increased by 38 cm (15 in). The new version, which was intended to be better suited to the US market, was powered by two 850 shp (630 kW) PT5A-42 engines, and had more fuel, increasing the aircraft's range. It was initially designated Xingu II, but when development was slowed by Embraer concentrating on other programmes (such as theTucano,Brasilia andAMX), it was decided to introduce an interim improved version with more power as the EMB-121A1 Xingu II, and the stretched version became the EMB-121B Xingu III.[7] Development of the Xingu III had been abandoned by 1984.[8]
The Xingu II, meanwhile, first flew on 4 September 1981, and was powered by two 750 shp (560 kW) PT6A-135 engines, giving increased performance.[9] It replaced the original version in production after 29 had been built.[10] Xingu Is could be modified to Xingu II standard, and that option was taken by several operators.[9] Production of the Xingu continued to 1987,[10] with a total of 106 Xingus being built.[2][a]
Initial deliveries of the Xingu were mainly to customers in Brazil, both civil operators and the armed forces, with theBrazilian Air Force receiving six in 1978 for VIP transport.[6] In September 1980, the Xingu was selected by the FrenchMinistry of Defense for a multi-engine training aircraft for theFrench Air Force (Armée de l'air) andFrench Naval Aviation (Aéronavale) which would also be suitable for liaison duties for the navy. The Xingu was selected ahead of the AmericanBeechcraft King Air andCessna 425. A total of 41 aircraft were purchased, 25 for the French Air Force and 16 for the Navy, with deliveries completed by the end of 1983.[11] The Brazilian Air Force's Xingus remained in service until 2010.[2] The Xingu remained in French service in 2022, with 22 in Air Force and 10 in Navy service.[12]
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1984-85[5]
General characteristics
Performance
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Media related toEmbraer EMB 121 Xingu at Wikimedia Commons
