Military Trainers
Alenia Aermacchi M-346
ICAO: Y130
Overview
The Short 312 Tucano is a license-built version of the Embraer EMB-312 Tucano produced in the United Kingdom. Introduced in the late 1980s, it served as a primary trainer for the Royal Air Force. The aircraft emphasizes reliability and simplicity.
Live Fleet Activity (S312)
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Specifications
Units
- Engine
- 1 × Garrett TPE331-12B
- Engine type
- Turboprop
- Power
- 1,100 shp · 820 kW
- Avionics
- —
- Wing tips
- No winglets
- Seats
- 2
- Crew
- —
- Cabin width
- —
- Cabin height
- —
- Cabin length
- —
- Exterior length
- 32 ft 4 in · 9.86 m
- Tail height
- 11 ft 2 in · 3.40 m
- Fuselage diameter
- 3 ft 3 in · 1.00 m
- Wing span
- 37 ft 0 in · 11.28 m
- Baggage volume
- —
- Gross weight
- —
- Empty weight
- —
- Max takeoff weight
- 7,200 lb · 3,300 kg
- Max landing weight
- 6,050 lb · 2,750 kg
- Max payload
- 2,750 lb · 1,250 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 190 gal · 700 L · 600 kg (Jet A)
- Max cruise speed
- 274 kt · 315 mph · 507 km/h
- Maximum speed
- —
- Cruise speed
- —
- Approach speed
- 43 kt · 49 mph · 80 km/h
- Range
- 899 nm · 1,030 mi · 1,660 km
- Fuel burn
- —
- Ceiling
- 34,000 ft · 10,400 m
- Rate of climb
- 3,510 ft/min · 18 m/s
- Takeoff distance
- 1,720 ft · 520 m
- Landing distance
- 1,880 ft · 570 m
Gallery
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Live fleet activity details
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Operational Context
Short 312 Tucano — turboprop military trainer
The Tucano first flew in UK-built form in 1986 and entered RAF service in 1989. It features a low-wing layout and tandem cockpit for instructor and student. The aircraft was selected to replace older piston-engine trainers.
Powered by a Garrett TPE331 turboprop engine producing approximately 1,100 shaft horsepower, the Tucano cruises at around 250 knots (463 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight exceeds 6,600 pounds (2,994 kg). The cockpit is equipped with training avionics and basic weapons capability for instruction.
The Short Tucano trained RAF pilots for decades before replacement. Its turboprop performance prepared students for jet conversion. The aircraft remains an important step in British pilot training history.
Sources and references used for research and fact-checking.