SIAI Marchetti SF.260



         


The Aermacchi F-260 is a light aircraft marketed as an aerobatics plane and a military trainer. It was designed by Stelio Frati, originally for Aviamilano, which flew the first prototype of it on July 15 1964. Actual production was undertaken when SIAI Marchetti purchased the design soon thereafter and continued with this firm until the company was bought by Aermacchi in 1997. The military versions are popular with smaller air forces, which can also arm it for use in the close-support role.

The design is a conventional one, featuring a low wing and tricycle undercarriage, and is often praised for its sleek lines and sporty appearance. The pilot and up to two passengers (or pilot and one student in trainer versions) are accommodated under a broad, extensively glazed canopy.

The F-260 holds the airspeed records for aircraft in its class over the 100 km (62 mile) and 1,000 km (621 mile) closed circuits.

The aircraft was marketed in the United States in the late 1960s as the Waco Meteor, although it was in no way connected with the WACO aircraft company.

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Variants

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Aviamilano

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SIAI Marchetti

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Users

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Civil

Out of some 860 SF-260s produced, around 180 have been sold to civil users. Most of these are in private hands, although at least one airline (Sabena) purchased the aircraft as a trainer for airliner pilots.

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Military

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