The Italian Ministers of Defense and of Interior fly the M-346
The Italian Minister of the Interior Roberto Maroni and the Minister of Defense Ignazio La Russa flew, on the 22dn September, on the two M-346 advanced jet trainers, during their visit to the Alenia Aermacchi at Venegono Superiore, north of Milan.
The two ministers were greeted by Alenia Aermacchi CEO Carmelo Cosentino together with the top management of Finmeccanica and Alenia Aeronautica.
The two officials were briefed on the M-346 program, with particular emphasis on the market perspectives and the program status of the new advanced trainer.
La Russa and Maroni were then given the opportunity to move from theory to practice by experiencing the M-346 directly in a half hour formation flight. The Minister of Defense flew with Aermacchi Chief Test Pilot Quirino Bucci on the first preseries M-346 – the red aircraft unveiled in July – while his colleague boarded the second prototype with Cmdr Olinto Cecconello. «An unforgettable experience», La Russa commented upon landing congratulating Aermacchi and its pilots for their great professionalism.