The story
Before the E-Jets, before the ERJ, there was a boxy 15-seat turboprop designed by a Brazilian government team to link towns the airlines ignored. Embraer was founded in 1969 to build it. The Bandeirante, named for the pioneers who opened Brazil's interior, became the company's first production aircraft and sold around the world as a commuter and freighter: Pratt & Whitney PT6s, a long nose, an unpressurised cabin, and 498 built before the line closed in the early 1990s. The ones still flying haul cargo, fly air-taxi work in Brazil, or wear Brazilian Air Force colours.
Embraer was founded in August 1969 to put this one aircraft into production. The Bandeirante's export success paid for everything the company became.
Quick answers
How do you identify a Bandeirante?
Low wing, long pointed nose, square windows, a tall fin with a dorsal fillet. Think of a stretched King Air with a plainer face. Cargo carriers, air-taxi operators and the Brazilian Air Force are the usual owners today.
What does a Bandeirante sound like?
Classic twin PT6 whine with a propeller growl on takeoff; unmistakably a turboprop from the ground.
How fast is the Bandeirante?
Top speed is 225 kts.
How many passengers does the Bandeirante carry?
Up to 21. A typical layout is 15 to 18 passengers, or cargo.
How far can the Bandeirante fly?
Range is about 1,060 nmi.
How big is the Bandeirante?
It is 49 ft 6 in long and 50 ft 3 in across the wings.
When did the Bandeirante first fly?
Its first flight was in 1968.
How many Bandeirantes have been built?
498 built.
How rare is a Bandeirante in Bogey?
COMMON. Everyday traffic. You will catch plenty of these, and every first catch still counts. Your first Bandeirante catch is worth 25 points.
