It was developed by the Fabrica Militar de Aviones (FMA) in response to an Argentine Air Force request for a replacement for its Beech B-45 "Mentor" trainers then in service. The new aircraft was to combine its main role as a primary trainer with secondary roles as a reconnaissance and light attack aircraft.

The resulting design was for a low-wing cantilever monoplane with retractable tricycle undercarriage. The pilot and instructor were to sit in tandem under a long bubble canopy, and the Turbomeca Astazou turboprop was selected as a powerplant.

A scale model was displayed at the 1978 Paris Air Show, but the project was cancelled shortly afterwards.

General characteristics

• Crew: Two, pilot and instructor
• Length: 11.30 m (37 ft 1 in)
• Wingspan: 10.53 m (34 ft 7 in)
• Height: 3.45 m (11 ft 4 in)
• Wing area: 19.4 m² (209 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 1,460 kg (3,220 lb)
• Gross weight: 2,528 kg (5,573 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Turbomeca Astazou XIV F , 405 kW (543 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 412 km/h (256 mph, 222 kn)
• Range: 1,080 km (670 mi, 580 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 6,750 m (22,150 ft)

Armament

• 2 × fixed, forward-firing 7.62 mm machine guns in wings
• disposable stores on two underwing hardpoints

Notes edit

Bibliography edit

• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 394. ISBN 0-7106-0710-5.
• Hulaczuk, Sergio; Héctor Vaccaro (September–October 2007). "Ficha técnica Nº 65: Entrenadores". Aeroespacio (579). Archived from the original on 2008-02-16. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
• "Argentinians propose new trainer". Flight: 317. 30 July 1977. Retrieved 2008-03-20.