View source for Embraer EMB 121 Xingu

{{Short description|Fixed-wing aircraft in Brazil}}
{{Infobox aircraft
| name = EMB 121 Xingu
| image = File:Xingu.jpg
| caption = [[French Air and Space Force]] Xingu
| type = [[Utility aircraft]]
| national_origin = [[Brazil]]
| manufacturer = [[Embraer]]
| designer = 
| first_flight = 10 October 1976
| introduction = 20 May 1977
| retired = 
| status = Active
| primary_user = [[French Air and Space Force]]
| more_users = {{plainlist|
* [[Brazilian Air Force]]
* [[French Navy]]
}}
| produced = 1977-1987
| number_built = 106
| unit cost = 
| developed_from = [[Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante|EMB 110 Bandeirante]]
| variants = 
}}

The '''Embraer EMB 121 Xingu''' ({{IPA|pt|ʃĩˈɡu}}, named after the [[Xingu River]]) is a twin-[[turboprop]] [[fixed-wing aircraft]] built by the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer, [[Embraer]].  The design is based on the [[Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante|EMB 110 Bandeirante]], using its wing and engine design merged with an all-new [[fuselage]].  The EMB 121 first flew on 10 October 1976.<ref name="Janes upgrades p9">Michell 1994, p.9</ref>

A modified form of the EMB 121, the '''EMB 121A1 Xingu II''', was introduced on 4 September 1981 with a more powerful engine (PT6A-135), increased seating (8 or 9 passengers) and a larger fuel capacity.

Before production ceased in 1987, Embraer had produced 106 EMB 121 aircraft, 51 of which were exported to countries outside Brazil.<ref name="ma"/>

==Development and design==
In 1975, Embraer began development of a family of three derivatives of its [[Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante|Bandeirante]] airliner, all of which were to feature a pressurised fuselage and [[T-tail]]. The smallest of the three, and the first to be launched, was the EMB-121 Xingu, designed to carry six passengers in a typical layout, with a maximum of nine passengers carried.<ref name="ai983p111,3-4">''Air International'' September 1983, pp. 111, 113–114</ref> The Xingu is a low-winged cantilever [[monoplane]] with a retractable tricycle undercarriage and a circular section fuselage. Its wing is based on that used by the Bandeirante, but with reduced wingspan. Like the Bandeirante, it is powered by two [[Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6]]A [[turboprop]] engines.<ref name="ai983p122">''Air International'' September 1983, p. 122</ref><ref name="JAWA 84-5p145"/>

The prototype Xingu, [[Aircraft registration|registration]] ''PP-ZXI'', flew for the first time from Embraer's [[São Paulo]] factory on 10 October 1976. Testing resulted in a number of changes to improve performance and handling, including increasing wingspan by {{convert|0.4|m|ft|abbr=on}} by adding swept wingtips, fitting a [[yaw damper]] and adding a large ventral fin.<ref name="ai983p114">''Air International'' September 1983, p. 114</ref> The first production aircraft made its maiden flight on 20 May 1977, and was exhibited at that year's [[Paris Air Show]]. The Xingu received its Brazilian [[type certificate]] in May 1977, followed by certification by the British [[Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)|Civil Aviation Authority]] in July that year.<ref name="ai983p114"/>

On 26 July 1980, Embraer flew the prototype Xingu modified to a new version, with its fuselage stretched by the addition of a {{convert|25|cm|in|abbr=on}} plug ahead of the wing and a {{convert|64|cm|in|abbr=on}} plug aft of the wing, with the wing span increased by {{convert|38|cm|in|abbr=on}}. The new version, which was intended to be better suited to the US market, was powered by two {{convert|850|shp|kW|abbr=on}} PT5A-42 engines, and had more fuel, increasing the aircraft's range. It was initially designated Xingu II, but when development was slowed by Embraer concentrating on other programmes (such as the [[Embraer EMB 312 Tucano|Tucano]], [[Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia|Brasilia]] and [[AMX International AMX|AMX]]), it was decided to introduce an interim improved version with more power as the EMB-121A1 Xingu II, and the stretched version became the EMB-121B Xingu III.<ref name="ai983p114,21">''Air International'' September 1983, pp. 114, 121</ref> Development of the Xingu III had been abandoned by 1984.<ref name="JAWA 84-5p15"/>

The Xingu II, meanwhile, first flew on 4 September 1981, and was powered by two {{convert|750|shp|kW|abbr=on}} PT6A-135 engines, giving increased performance.<ref name="ai983p121">''Air International'' September 1983, p. 121</ref> It replaced the original version in production after 29 had been built.<ref name="airp178">Simpson 1995, p. 178</ref> Xingu Is could be modified to Xingu II standard, and that option was taken by several operators.<ref name="ai983p121"/> Production of the Xingu continued to 1987,<ref name="airp178"/> with a total of 106 Xingus being built.<ref name="ma"/>{{#tag:ref|111 plus the prototype according to Simpson.<ref name="airp178"/>|group=lower-alpha}}

==Service==
Initial deliveries of the Xingu were mainly to customers in Brazil, both civil operators and the armed forces, with the [[Brazilian Air Force]] receiving six in 1978 for VIP transport.<ref name="ai983p114"/> In September 1980, the Xingu was selected by the French [[Ministry of Armed Forces (France)|Ministry of Defense]] for a multi-engine training aircraft for the [[French Air and Space Force|French Air Force]] (''Armée de l'air'') and [[French Naval Aviation]] (''Aéronavale'') which would also be suitable for liaison duties for the navy. The Xingu was selected ahead of the American [[Beechcraft King Air]] and [[Cessna 425]]. A total of 41 aircraft were purchased, 25 for the French Air Force and 16 for the Navy, with deliveries completed by the end of 1983.<ref name="ai983p1212">''Air International'' September 1983, pp. 121–122</ref> The Brazilian Air Force's Xingus remained in service until 2010.<ref name="ma">{{cite web |title=Xingu - EMB-121 : EMBRAER |website=Força Aérea Brasileira: Museu Aeroespacial |url=https://www2.fab.mil.br/musal/index.php/aeronaves-em-exposicao/55-avioes/303-xingu |access-date=18 June 2023 |language=pt-br}}</ref> The Xingu remained in French service in 2022, with 22 in Air Force and 10 in Navy service.<ref>Hoyle 2022, p. 18</ref>

==Variants==
[[File:Embraer EMB-121A1 Xingu II AN1240051.jpg|thumb|Cabin]]

;EMB 121A Xingu I : Initial production version, powered by two {{convert|680|shp|kW|abbr=on}} [[Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6]]A-28 engines.<ref name="airp178"/>
;EMB 121A1 Xingu II : Revised production version, powered by {{convert|750|shp|kW|abbr=on}} Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-135 engines.<ref name="airp178"/> 
;EMB 121B Xingu III : Projected stretched development, single prototype converted,<ref name="ai983p114,21"/> but no production,<ref name="JAWA 84-5p15">Taylor 1984, p. 15</ref> powered by {{convert|850|shp|kW|abbr=on}} Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-42 engines.<ref name="ai983p121"/>
;EMB 123 Tapajós : Initially proposed 10-seat derivative with new wings and powered by {{convert|1120|shp|kW|abbr=on}} Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-45 engines.<ref name="jawa76p123">Taylor 1976, p. 123</ref> Abandoned in favour of simpler Xingu III.<ref name="ai983p113">''Air International'' September 1983, p. 113</ref>
;EMB 120 Araguaia : 20<ref name="ai983p113"/>–24<ref name="jawa76p123"/> seat version, with same wings and engine as EMB 123, but stretched fuselage.<ref name="jawa76p123"/> Later developed into larger 30-seater [[Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia]],<ref name="ai983p113"/> with much less commonality to EMB-121 than originally planned.<ref name="ai983p122"/>
;VU-9 : Brazilian Air Force designation.<ref name="ai983p114"/>
;EC-9 : Brazilian Air Force designation for an electronic warfare variant of the EMB 121.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brazilian Military Aircraft Designations |url=https://designation-systems.net/non-us/brazil.html |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=designation-systems.net}}</ref>

==Military operators==
[[File:Embraer EMB-121 Xingu, Private JP6350842.jpg|thumb|A Private Xingu]]
; {{BRA}} 
* [[Brazilian Air Force]]
; {{FRA}}
* [[French Air and Space Force]]
* [[French Naval Aviation]]

==Specifications (EMB 121A1 Xingu II)==
[[File:Embraer EMB-121A1 Xingu II AN1240052.jpg|thumb|Cockpit]]

{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1984-85<ref name="JAWA 84-5p145">Taylor 1984, pp. 14–15</ref>
|prime units?=met
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|genhide=

|crew=1/2
|capacity=9 passengers or {{convert|770|kg|abbr=on}} cargo with 1 pilot
|length m=12.25
|span m=14.05
|height m=4.84
|wing area sqm=27.5
|aspect ratio=7.18
|airfoil=
|empty weight kg=3710
|empty weight note=equipped
|gross weight kg=
|gross weight lb=
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg=5670
|fuel capacity={{convert|1308|kg|abbr=on}}
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=2
|eng1 name=[[Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-135]]
|eng1 type=turboprop engines
|eng1 kw=559

|prop blade number=4
|prop name=[[Hartzell Propeller|Hartzell]] HC-B4TN-3C/T9212B 
|prop dia m=2.36
|prop dia note=constant-speed metal propeller with auto-feathering and full reverse-pitch
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed kts=252
|cruise speed kts=205
|cruise speed note=at {{convert|3050|m|abbr=on}}
|stall speed kts=76
|stall speed note=power off, flaps down
|minimum control speed kmh=
|minimum control speed mph=
|minimum control speed kts=
|minimum control speed note=
|range km=1230
|range note=at {{convert|6100|m|abbr=on}} maximum fuel with 45 minutes reserve
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling ft=28000
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|climb rate ftmin=1800
|time to altitude=
|wing loading kg/m2=206.2
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|fuel consumption lb/mi= {{#expr:2*250/(234*1.15078)round2}}
|fuel consumption note=: {{cvt|250|lb}}/h per engine at {{cvt|234|kn|km/h}} TAS, FL200, -4°C<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1978/1978%20-%200791.html |title= Xingu in the air |author= Hugh Field |date= 13 May 1978 |magazine= Flight International |access-date= 16 December 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090912042122/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1978/1978%20-%200791.html |archive-date= 12 September 2009 |url-status= live }}</ref>
|power/mass=0.197 kW/kg (0.12 shp/lb)

|more performance=
}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Aviation}}
{{aircontent|
|related=
* [[Embraer EMB 110]]
* [[Embraer EMB 120]]
|similar aircraft=
* [[Beechcraft King Air]]
* [[Piper PA-31T Cheyenne]]
* [[Fuji/Rockwell Commander 700|Rockwell Commander 700]]
* [[Swearingen Merlin]]
|lists=
|see also=
}}

==References==
===Notes===
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

{{reflist}}
===Bibliography===
* [http://www.airliners.net/info/stats.main?id=199 EMB-121 information at Airliners.net]
* {{cite book |last1=Endres |first1=Gunter |last2=Gething |first2=Mike |year=2002 |title=Aircraft Recognition Guide |edition=2nd |location=New York City  |publisher=Harper Collins Publishers |isbn=0-00-713721-4}}
* {{cite web |last=Hoyle |first=Craig |title=World Air Forces 2023 |year=2022 |work=[[Flight International]] |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/reports/2023-world-air-forces-directory/151088.article |access-date=18 June 2023}}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Michell |editor-first=Simon |title=Jane's Civil and Military Aircraft Updates 1994-95 |year=1994 |location=Coulsdon, Surrey, UK |publisher=Jane's Information Group |isbn=0-7106-1208-7}}
* {{cite book |last=Simpson |first=E. W. |title=Airlife's General Aviation |edition=Second |year=1995 |location=Shrewsbury, UK |publisher=Airlife Publishing Ltd. |isbn=1-85310-577-5}}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Taylor |editor-first=John W. R.  |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1976-77 |year=1977 |publisher=Jane's Yearbooks |location=London |isbn=0-354-00538-3}}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Taylor |editor-first=John W. R. |editor-link=John W. R. Taylor |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1984-85 |url=https://archive.org/details/janesallworldsai8485john |url-access=registration |year=1984|publisher=Jane's Publishing Company |location=London |isbn=0-7106-0801-2}}
* {{cite magazine |title=Xingu...Academician from the Amazon |magazine=[[Air International]] |date=September 1983 |volume=25 |issue=3 |pages=111–115, 121–122 |issn=0306-5634}}

==External links==
{{commons category-inline|Embraer EMB 121 Xingu}}

{{Embraer}}
{{FAB aircraft designations}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Embraer Emb 121 Xingu}}
[[Category:1970s Brazilian military utility aircraft]]
[[Category:Embraer aircraft]]
[[Category:T-tail aircraft]]
[[Category:Low-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1976]]
[[Category:Twin-turboprop tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear]]