SF-260
The fully aerobatic, two seat side-by-side, propeller-driven SF-260 is the world’s most successful modern screener and primary trainer.
Some 27 different military customers have already bought 880 SF-260 in all variants. The SF-260 is also a favourite of civil professional flying schools. The fleet has accumulated over 1,900,000 flight hours worldwide.
Recent customers include the Italian Air Force, which ordered its fourth batch of thirty SF-260EA, with an avionics configuration tailored to its specifications.
With the SF-260, student pilots can achieve the skill levels required for a smooth transition to higher performance basic trainers. This minimizes the costs incurred when student pilots are washed out later in the training process. The SF-260 flight characteristics and performance levels allow it to screen student pilot candidates while also covering effectively the entire primary training phase. The additional third seat SF-260 allows flexibility to expand in non-aerobatic missions. It is available in both piston-engine and turboprop variants, respectively powered by a 260 hp Lycoming AEIO-540 (SF-260E) or a 350 shp Rolls-Royce Model 250 B-17D turboprop SF-260TP).
SF-260EA
The EA configuration, recently adopted by Italian Air Force, features a new avionics suite, improved cockpit ergonomics and improved maintainability. The electro-avionics equipment includes new radio-navigation and communication systems. The EA configuration, recently adopted by Italian Air Force, features a new avionics suite, improved cockpit ergonomics and improved maintainability. The electro-avionics equipment includes new radio-navigation and communication systems.
Radio communication systems include two VHF/AM and a UHF/AM transceivers and an interphone system. They are provided with state-of-the-art components that ensure optimizal communications between ground control and pilots. A new canopy design provides a more spacious cockpit compared with the previous Italian Air Force AM configuration. Instruments and control panels fitted with integrated lights allow easier reading. Cockpit ventilation has also been improved with newly designed outlets and a new air conditioning system. Easy access to the battery compartment through a panel on the aircraft fuselage side and several other changes will facilitate maintenance operations.A new canopy design provides a more spacious cockpit compared with the previous Italian Air Force AM configuration. Instruments and control panels fitted with integrated lights allow easier reading. Cockpit ventilation has also been improved with newly designed outlets and a new air conditioning system.
Easy access to the battery compartment through a panel on the aircraft fuselage side and several other changes will facilitate maintenance operations.
TECHNICAL DATA
| Dimensions | ||
|---|---|---|
| span | 8.35 m | 27.4 ft |
| length | 7.10 m (TP version: 7.40 m) | 23.3 ft (24.3 ft) |
| height | 2.68 m (TP version: 2.41 m) | 8.8 ft (8,41 ft) |
| wing area | 10.10 sqm | 108.7 sqft |
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| Weights | ||
| empty | 840 kg (TP version: 820 kg) | 1,850 lb (1,805 lb) |
| max T.O. (aerobatic) | 1,200 kg | 2,645 lb |
| max T.O. (utility) | 1,300 kg | 2,865 lb |
| max T.O. (armed) | 1,350 kg | 2,975 lb |
| Power Plant | ||
| Textron Lycoming (piston, 6 cylinders) | AEIO-540 D4A5 | |
| Power, SLS, ISA | 260 HP (TP version: 350 HP - flat-rated from 420 HP) | |
| Propeller (Hartrell) | 2 blades AHC-C2YK-1 BF/F8477-8R (TP version: 3 blades HC-B3TF-7A/T101 73-25R) | |
| Performance (clean, ISA, 1100 kg/2425 lb) | |
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| Max level speed (sea level) | 182 KTAS (TP version: 10,000 ft 228 KTAS) |
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| Cruise speed (6000 ft, 75% power) | 175 KTAS (TP version: 215 KTAS 10,000 ft) |
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| Never exceed speed | 236 KEAS | |
| Rate of climb (SL) | 1,800 ft/min (TP version: 2,200 ft/min) |
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| Stall speed (full flaps) | 59 KCAS (TP version: 61 KCAS) |
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| Service ceiling | 20,000 ft (TP version: 25,000 ft) |
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| Range clean (10% reserve) | TP version: 510 nm |
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| Range clean / 2 ext. tanks (10% reserve) | 710 / 1090 nm (TP version: 840 nm) |
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| Takeoff ground run | 275 m | 900 ft |
| Landing ground run | 270 m (TP version: 390 m) | 885 ft (1280 ft) |
| Limit Load factor | +6 / -3 g | |
| Max Load Factor, Utility |
TP version: +4.4/-1.76g |