FLUG REVUE first flight gallery: Aermacchi M-311

First Flight Gallery: Aermacchi M-311

Read the original first flight press release:

First flight of the M-311 avionics demonstrator

Venegono (Varese) – June 1st<, 2005

Today, the M-311 avionics demonstrator has performed its first flight. The aircraft has taken off from Venegono airfield at 10.00 a.m. piloted by Olinto Cecconello, Aermacchi's Chief test Pilot.

The M-311 avionics demonstrator features a new Man-Machine-Interface and a strengthened structure that ensures a fatigue life of 15,000 flight hours and maximum manoeuvring load factors in the range of +7 / -3.5 g.

The turbofan engine equipping the aircraft provides a maximum continuous thrust of 1,447 kg, combining high performance with low fuel consumption.

The 70 minutes flight, has allowed the functionality of the new avionics suite and the general handling of the aircraft to be evaluated. During the flight the aircraft has reached the maximum load factor and the most significant areas of the flight envelope.

The first flight of this avionics demonstrator is an important milestone in the development phase of the new M-311 aircraft, that will require further structural, maintenance and ergonomics modifications.

The first production aircraft could be delivered in the year 2008.

Considering the industrialisation of the new fast jet trainer M-311 and forthcoming international competitions, Aermacchi is already contacting international partners who will be involved in the aircraft development and production.

The avionics demonstrator of the M-311 will be on static display in Finmeccanica outdoor areas A384-391 on occasion of the next Le Bourget Air Show.

Background Information:

The M-311 is a completely redesigned version of the Aermacchi basic jet trainer. The M-311 features new strengthened structures with expanded manoeuvre envelope and longer fatigue life, new systems, and new maintenance philosophy.

The new model takes advantage from the expertise in digital avionics gained by Aermacchi with the development of the MB-339CD, and from a new design approach introduced in the M-346 programme. The M-311 shows a man-machine interface representative of the cockpit environment of the latest generation combat aircraft with:
- Head-Up Display, Multi Function Displays with embedded simulation potential;
- Hands On Throttle and Stick controls.

Thanks to its turbofan engine, the M-311 associates high performance with low fuel consumption. The aircraft is fitted with simple, essential systems ensuring maximum reliability and minimum maintenance needs. As a result, the M-311 is a basic jet trainer with Life Cycle Cost lower than those of heavy turboprops, offering much better training skills thanks to a real jet environment and a real jet handling.

Operational capabilities are provided by 5 hard points capable of carrying stores up to 1,000 kg.

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Last updated 9 June 2005

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