Embraer EMB 121 Xingú

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The Embraer EMB 121 Xingú is a twin-turboprop fixed-wing aircraft built by the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer, Embraer. The design of this plane is based on the EMB 110 Bandeirante, borrowing its wing and engine design merged with an all-new fuselage. The EMB 121 first flew on October 10, 1976 and entered service on May 20, 1977 in both military and civil roles.

A modified form of the EMB 121, the EMB 121A1 Xingú III, was introduced on September 4, 1981 with a more powerful engine (PT6A-42), increased seating (8 or 9 passengers) and a larger fuel capacity.

Before production ceased in August 1987, Embraer had produced 106 EMB 121 aircraft, 51 of which were exported to countries outside Brazil. Today the French Air Force is the largest operator with 43 aircraft still in service.

Variants

VU-9 - Brazilian Air Force version.
EMB 121A Xingu I
EMB 121A1 Xingu II
EMB 121V Xingu III

Specifications (EMB 121 Xingú II)

General characteristics

Crew: 2
Capacity: 8 or 9 passengers
Length: 12.3 m (40 ft 3 in)
Wingspan: 14.1 m (46 ft 2 in)
Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 10 in)
Empty: 3,620 kg (7,960 lb)
Loaded: 5670 kg (12.500 lb)
Maximum takeoff: 5,670 kg (12,500 lb)
Powerplant: 2× Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-28 turboprops, 680 shp (630 kW) each on Xingú I and Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-135 turboprops, 750 shp on Xingú II

Performance

Maximum speed: 465 km/h (289 mph)
Range: 2,278 km (1,415 miles)
Service ceiling: 7,925 m (26,000 ft)Xingú I and 8,535 m (28,000 ft) Xingú II
Rate of climb: 549 m/min (1,800 ft/min)
Wing loading: lb/ft² ( kg/m²)

Military Operators

Brazil, France.

References

[EMB-121 information at Airliners.net]
Endres, Gunter and Gething, Mike. (2002). Aircraft Recognition Guide, (2nd Ed.). New York: Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN 0007137214