Following a visit to LMML in 2019 by two French Xingus, one belonging to the Air Force and one to the navy, yesterday 28th July 2020 saw another similar visit to LMML, also in the form of a French Navy Xingu (Serial ’77’) and a French Air Force Xingu (Serial ‘084’).
The French crews are known to perform these types of navigational training flights and Malta is often chosen for these types of training flights, much to the delight of aviation spotters.
The Embraer EMB 121 Xingu is a twin-turboprop fixed-wing aircraft built by the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer, Embraer, and first flew on 10 October 1976.
In France, the aircraft has been used for pilot training since 1983, and the French Air Force has decided to extend its operational life to 2025 with the modernisation of its electrical systems. This will keep the Xingu aircraft in operation for 42 consecutive years, a rarity in the industry.
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