The story
Brazil needed a plane that could chase drug-smuggling flights across the Amazon, operate from rough strips and stay up for hours, all for a fraction of a jet's cost. Embraer built a big, armoured turboprop with guns in the wings, and air forces across Latin America, Africa and Asia lined up for it. The US bought twenty of them for the Afghan Air Force.
The Super Tucano was designed to fly from unpaved runways, with an armoured cockpit, so it can fight from airstrips most military jets could never use.
Quick answers
How do you identify a EMB 314 Super Tucano?
Single turboprop with a large five-blade propeller, a tandem bubble canopy for two and weapon pylons under the wings. Looks like a WWII fighter redrawn as a turboprop; some wear shark mouths.
What does a EMB 314 Super Tucano sound like?
A big PT6 turboprop: a smooth, powerful whine with a growl when the five-blade prop bites.
How fast is the EMB 314 Super Tucano?
Top speed is 319 kts.
How many people does the EMB 314 Super Tucano carry?
Typical configuration: Pilot + instructor or weapons officer.
How far can the EMB 314 Super Tucano fly?
Range is about 718 nmi.
How big is the EMB 314 Super Tucano?
It is 37 ft 4 in long and 36 ft 7 in across the wings.
When did the EMB 314 Super Tucano first fly?
Its first flight was in 1999.
How many EMB 314 Super Tucanos have been built?
260+ built.
What do crews call the EMB 314 Super Tucano?
The Super T.
How rare is a EMB 314 Super Tucano in Bogey?
RARE. A good day. Most spotters go weeks between sightings of something this rare. Your first EMB 314 Super Tucano catch is worth 250 points.
