Aermacchi SF.260
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| SF.260 | |
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 Aermacchi SF.260 |
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| Type | Trainer |
| Manufacturer | SIAI Marchetti/Aermacchi |
| Designed by | Stelio Frati |
| Maiden flight | 15 July 1964 |
| Number built | 860 |
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.
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[edit] Design and development
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. In 2005, 30 SF.260EA - the most recent version - have been delivered to the Italian air force for a total price of 33 million € (40 million $).
[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.260A - Initial production version. Built in small numbers.
- SF.260M - Militarised version with strengthened airframe and improved aerodynamics
- SF.260AM - Italian Air Force version. 33 built.
- SF 260ML - Export version for Libya. 240 built.
- SF.260W Warrior - Military version with weapons hardpoints
- SF.260SW Sea Warrior - Coast patrol, fishery protection aircraft. One built.
- 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
- SF.260WP Warrior- also known as "Layang" by the Philippine Air Force for in counter insurgency operations.[citation needed] Powered by a turboprop engine.[citation needed]
[edit] Operators
[edit] Military Operators
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[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)
This aircraft article is missing some (or all) of its specifications. If you have a source, you can help Wikipedia by adding them.Data from {name of first source}
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 weight: 755 kg (1,664 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 1,102 kg (2,430 lb)
- Powerplant: 1× Lycoming O-540-E4A5, 195 kW (260 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 347 km/h (187 knots, 215 mph)
- Range: 2,050 km (1,107 NM, 1,274 mi)
- Service ceiling 5,790 m (19,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 546 m/min (1,791 ft/min)
[edit] See also
Comparable aircraft
[edit] External links
- Aermacchi product info
- SIAI-MARCHETTI SF-260 Owner's Association
- SF-260 Information and Production History
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