Aermacchi

On 27 July Alenia Aermacchi, a Finmeccanica company, delivered to the Italian Air Force (ITAF) the last two SF-260 primary trainers in the latest EA variant, dev­eloped specifically for the ITAF.
The aircraft were delivered at Venegono in the presence of Lt. Gen. Giampiero Gargini, Commander of the ITAF Schools, of Col. Francesco Tinagli, Commander of the 70th Wing, and of senior Alenia Aermacchi executives.

The delivery marks the completion of the contract signed in 2005 with the Ministry of Defence for the supply of thirty SF-260EA aircraft.
In addition to the development and certification of the new EA variant, the contract also included the provision of training and logistic support services directly at Latina, where the 70th Wing is based.
The fleet support contract called for the setting up of a Logistics Support Centre within the Latina Air Force Base, in order to assist the military personnel tasked with maintaining the SF-260 fleet. In accordance with the philosophy of providing Customers with a complete support service, the Logistics Centre manages the supply of materials, spare parts and equipment required to support the fleet in service.

The SF-260EA at Latina
The SF-260EA are used by the 70th Wing of the Italian Air Force, which is based at Latina. The latest version of the classic SF-260 has allowed the ITAF basic flying school to take advantage of the new avionics suite to expand its training programme. Today its student pilots can acquire additional IFR navigation training previously flown with jets, allowing the ITAF to reduce its costs significantly with undiminished quality. The new training programmes introduced in Summer 2006 allow pilot candidates from all Services and Government Agencies that receive their basic training at the 70th Wing to achieve a high level of proficiency in all basic aspects of flight. In addition to achieving greater theoretical and practical knowledge of IFR navigation than in the past, the new syllabus also includes low-level navigation and night flying. Whereas in the past the 70th Wing flew prevalently in areas in the vicinity of Latina, today its aircraft also deploy to other airfields and areas for training purposes.

Background information
The SF-260 is the most successful primary trainer on the worldwide market.
It is a two-seat, piston-engine acrobatic aircraft, capable of accommodating a third seat on non-acrobatic missions for greater flexibility.
With its performance and handling, the SF-260 can be used throughout the student pilot screening phase and provide effective training in the entire first phase of the syllabus. In addition, the EA variant sports a modern avionics suite, improved cockpit ergonomics and improved ease of maintenance.

The avionics suite includes new navigation and communications systems.

The navigation system includes VOR/ILS, ADF, DME, GPS, ADI and HSI, placed in the classic “T” configuration for both pilots. This improves the possibilities for guided navigation and allows fully instrumental landings, improving flight safety and training effectiveness for both navigation and acrobatics.

The communications suite includes two VHF/AM and UHF/AM transmitters/receivers and intercom, based on state of the art components that optimise communications with ground-based control networks and between pilots.

The reprofiled canopy makes the cockpit more spacious compared to the AM variant previously used by the ITAF. The integrally-lit instruments and control panels are easier to read. Cabin ventilation has been improved with redesigned air vents and a new cabin air conditioning system.

The EA is easier to operate thanks to improvements such as the new access door on the rear fuselage for battery inspection and maintenance.

The SF-260 fleet worldwide has accumulated over 1.8 million flying hours since inception.­