Xingu over France: IFR from Landivisiau to Évreux-Fauville
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2025 9:35 pmEmbraer EMB 121 Xingu – Trainer and Light Transport Aircraft of the French Air Force
The Embraer EMB 121 Xingu (pronounced “Shingoo”) is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft developed by the Brazilian manufacturer Embraer in the mid-1970s as a light business transport aircraft. The name “Xingu” is derived from a local Amazonian tribe and river. The prototype first flew on October 10, 1976, followed by the first production aircraft on May 20, 1977.
Based on the EMB 110 Bandeirante, the Xingu retained the wings and engines of its predecessor while featuring a newly designed fuselage with a pressurized cabin. It was the first Brazilian aircraft to cross the Atlantic.
The aircraft is a low-wing monoplane with retractable nose gear, normally flown by two pilots, and depending on the configuration, can accommodate up to nine passengers. The Xingu I is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-28 turboprops with 680 shp each, while the Xingu II features PT6A-135 engines producing 750 shp, four-blade propellers, and increased fuel capacity.
The French Air Force and Navy are the largest operators of the Xingu. In the early 1980s, 44 aircraft were delivered: 26 to the Air Force’s transport flight school and 18 to the Navy. The Xingu serves mainly as a light transport and training aircraft for aspiring transport pilots, focusing on instrument flight and navigation, without aerobatic capabilities. The type is expected to remain in service until at least 2025.
Flight from Landivisiau to Évreux-Fauville
I recently flew a planned IFR flight with the Xingu from Base aéronautique navale de Landivisiau to Base aérienne 105 Évreux-Fauville, cruising at 15,000 ft.
Weather conditions were generally moderate:
Takeoff: Poor visibility required careful IFR navigation.
Cruise: Stable at 15,000 ft, navigation was smooth using onboard avionics.
Approach & Landing: Visual flight with improved conditions, resulting in a smooth landing.
The Xingu proved to be a reliable light transport aircraft, stable and easy to handle over a medium-distance route. Its instruments allowed precise flight despite limited visibility at departure, while the visual landing completed the trip safely and comfortably.
The Embraer EMB 121 Xingu (pronounced “Shingoo”) is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft developed by the Brazilian manufacturer Embraer in the mid-1970s as a light business transport aircraft. The name “Xingu” is derived from a local Amazonian tribe and river. The prototype first flew on October 10, 1976, followed by the first production aircraft on May 20, 1977.
Based on the EMB 110 Bandeirante, the Xingu retained the wings and engines of its predecessor while featuring a newly designed fuselage with a pressurized cabin. It was the first Brazilian aircraft to cross the Atlantic.
The aircraft is a low-wing monoplane with retractable nose gear, normally flown by two pilots, and depending on the configuration, can accommodate up to nine passengers. The Xingu I is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-28 turboprops with 680 shp each, while the Xingu II features PT6A-135 engines producing 750 shp, four-blade propellers, and increased fuel capacity.
The French Air Force and Navy are the largest operators of the Xingu. In the early 1980s, 44 aircraft were delivered: 26 to the Air Force’s transport flight school and 18 to the Navy. The Xingu serves mainly as a light transport and training aircraft for aspiring transport pilots, focusing on instrument flight and navigation, without aerobatic capabilities. The type is expected to remain in service until at least 2025.
Flight from Landivisiau to Évreux-Fauville
I recently flew a planned IFR flight with the Xingu from Base aéronautique navale de Landivisiau to Base aérienne 105 Évreux-Fauville, cruising at 15,000 ft.
Weather conditions were generally moderate:
Takeoff: Poor visibility required careful IFR navigation.
Cruise: Stable at 15,000 ft, navigation was smooth using onboard avionics.
Approach & Landing: Visual flight with improved conditions, resulting in a smooth landing.
The Xingu proved to be a reliable light transport aircraft, stable and easy to handle over a medium-distance route. Its instruments allowed precise flight despite limited visibility at departure, while the visual landing completed the trip safely and comfortably.