Embraer EMB 121 Xingu

EMB 121 Xingu
Role	Utility aircraft
National origin	Brazil
Manufacturer	Embraer
First flight	10 October 1976
Introduction	20 May 1977
Status	Active
Primary users	French Air Force Brazilian Air Force
Produced	1977-1987
Number built	106
Developed from	EMB 110 Bandeirante

The Embraer EMB 121 Xingu (pronounced "shingoo") is a twin-turboprop fixed-wing aircraft built by the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer, Embraer. The design of this plane is based on the EMB 110 Bandeirante, using its wing and engine design merged with an all-new fuselage. The EMB 121 first flew on 10 October 1976.^[1]

A modified form of the EMB 121, the EMB 121A1 Xingu II, was introduced on 4 September 1981 with a more powerful engine (PT6A-135), increased seating (8 or 9 passengers) and a larger fuel capacity.

Before production ceased in August 1987, Embraer had produced 106 EMB 121 aircraft, 51 of which were exported to countries outside Brazil. Currently, the French Air Force is the largest operator with 43 aircraft still in service.

Variants

EMB 121A Xingu I 

Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-28

EMB 121A1 Xingu II 

Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-135

EMB 121B Xingu III 

Projected stretched development, not proceeded with,^[2] to have been powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-42 engines.

EMB 123 Tapajós 

planned version with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-45

VU-9 

Brazilian Air Force designation

Military operators

A Xingu of the French Air Force

 Brazil

• Brazilian Air Force

 France

• French Air Force
• French Navy

Specifications (EMB 121A1 Xingu II)

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1984-85^[2]

General characteristics

• Crew: 1/2
• Capacity: 9 or 770 kg (1,700 lb) with 1 pilot
• Length: 12.25 m (40 ft 2 in)
• Wingspan: 14.05 m (46 ft 1 in)
• Height: 4.84 m (15 ft 11 in)
• Wing area: 27.5 m² (296 sq ft)
• Aspect ratio: 7.18
• Empty weight: 3,710 kg (8,179 lb) equipped
• Max takeoff weight: 5,670 kg (12,500 lb)
• Fuel capacity: 1,308 kg (2,884 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-135 turboprop engines, 559 kW (750 hp) each
• Propellers: 4-bladed Hartzell HC-B4TN-3C/T9212B, 2.36 m (7 ft 9 in) diameter constant-speed metal propeller with auto-feathering and full reverse-pitch

Performance

• Maximum speed: 467 km/h; 290 mph (252 kn)
• Cruise speed: 380 km/h; 236 mph (205 kn) at 3,050 m (10,010 ft)
• Stall speed: 141 km/h; 87 mph (76 kn) power off, flaps down
• Range: 1,230 km (764 mi; 664 nmi) at 6,100 m (20,000 ft) maximum fuel with 45 minutes reserve
• Service ceiling: 8,535 m (28,002 ft)
• Rate of climb: 9.1333 m/s (1,797.89 ft/min)
• Wing loading: 206.2 kg/m² (42.2 lb/sq ft)
• Power/mass: 0.197 kW/kg (0.12 shp/lb)

Avionics

Standard fit

• Collins VHF-20 comms Tx/Rx
• dual Collins VIR-30 nav Rx
• Collins ADF-60A
• Collins TDR-90
• Collins CLT-21/31/61/91 control heads
• Collins DME-40
• Bendix RDR-1150 HP weather radar
• two Sperry C-14 gyro-compasses
• two Sperry VG-14 vertical gyros
• dual Sperry RD-550B HSIs
• Dorne & Margolin DMELT-8-1 Emergency Locator Beacon
• plus optional avionics

See also

Related development

• Embraer EMB 110
• Embraer EMB 120

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Beechcraft King Air

References

Notes

1. Michell 1994, p.9
2. Taylor, John W. R. (1985). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1984-85. London: Jane's Publishing Company. ISBN 0-7106-0801-2.

Bibliography

• EMB-121 information at Airliners.net
• Endres, Gunter and Gething, Mike. (2002). Aircraft Recognition Guide, (2nd Ed.). New York City: Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN 0-00-713721-4.
• Michell, Simon (editor). Jane's Civil and Military Aircraft Updates 1994-95. Coulsdon, Surrey, UK:Jane's Information Group, 1994. ISBN 0-7106-1208-7.

External links

Media related to Embraer EMB 121 Xingu at Wikimedia Commons