The representatives of the Brazilian company Embraer delivered a presentation on the A-29 Super Tucano and KC-390 aircraft in the Barracks “Pukovnik Mirko Vukušić” at Zemunik to commanders and pilots of the 93^rd Wing and the Croatian Air Force Training Centre “Rudolf Perešin”. The presenters arrived to the Croatian Air Force Base at Zemunik within the European tour flying the Tucano. 

The Embraer representatives presented the technical features of the aircraft and demonstration flights were organised for the Croatian pilots. Lieutenant Colonel Damir Barišić, Chief of Staff and Deputy Commander of the 93^rd Wing and the commanders of the air platoons Captain Ivica Majetić and Captain Darko Belančić, the Team Leader of the “Wings of Storm” Aerobatic Group , took the opportunity to fly Tucano.

The Brazilian company has so far delivered more than 250 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, which are in the arsenal of 15 air forces worldwide, and in total they have achieved more than 460,000 hours of flight time, of which about 45,000 hours of flight time in combat missions.

“In addition to the many operational tasks in combat squadrons worldwide, the A-29 Super Tucano is also used for advanced flight and combat training, and to prepare pilots for conversion to the fighter aircraft – F-5, F-16, Mirage and Gripen”, said Lt. Col. Damir Barišić, Chief of Staff of the 93^rd Wing of the Croatian Air Force and Deputy Commander of the 93^rd Wing.

Various purposes

Super Tucano was designed as a stronger model of A-27 Tucano, and was intended for anti-diversionist and counter-smuggling operations, border control and counter rebellion, which are the main purposes it is used in Latin American countries.

Compared to the basic model, the A-29 Super Tucano features fuselage extension, a more powerful engine and air brakes. The first test flight of the upgraded variant was performed in 1999.

An additional production line was established in the United States. Although each order is custom-made and the final price depends on the equipment, the average price of Super Tucano ranges between 10 and 18 mil USD.

Compared to the basic model, the A-29 Super Tucano features fuselage extension, a more powerful engine and air brakes. The first test flight of the upgraded variant was performed in 1999.

The representatives of the Brazilian company stressed that the Tucano was a multi-role aircraft, very reliable, flexible and technologically advanced.

The leader of the acrobatic group “Wings of Storm” Captain Darko Belančić, a flight instructor, was the first to have the opportunity to fly in Super Tucano.

“The flight was very enjoyable. The Tucano is very similar to the aircraft we fly, so we had no difficulties operating it. Flying was also facilitated by the advanced avionics and systems.  The Brazilian pilots are top professionals and we enjoyed trying something new”, concluded Captain Belančić after the 1-hour flight.

Lt. Col. Barišić shared his impressions and said the flight went as expected.

”The opportunity to fly this aircraft is really a valuable and handy experience. The configuration and flight performances being very similar to our Pilatus PC-9M aircraft, which is used for instruction, the the A-29 Super Tucano is much more complex and has superior capabilities, and is a combat-proven light attack aircraft. It is successfully employed in combat missions, as an excellent platform delivering a broad range of combat capabilities and weapons, and preparing the pilots for conversion to modern fighter aircraft thanks to its sophisticated systems and equipment”, said Lt. Col. Barišić.

Main characteristics:

Length:                                  11.33 m

Wingspan:                  11.14 m

Height:                        3.97 m

Empty weight:             3,020 kg

Max take–off weight:  5,200 kg         

Maximum speed:         593 km/h

Rate of climb:  24 m/s

Service ceiling:           10,670 m

Engine:             PT6A-68A

Croatian version:

Prezentacija brazilskog aviona A-29 Super Tucano