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For our "non-civil readers": the
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lancair_Legacy is a composite general aviation aircraft "sportvliegtuig" that is able to sustain a CRUISE-speed of 444 km/h powered by an engine of only 310 horsepower...
An Aermacchi SF-260 would be "hard-pressed" to even try and approach that speed, let alone sustain it...
DATE:08/10/10
SOURCE:Flight International
PICTURES: New Colombian air force trainer makes flight debut
By Craig Hoyle
Lancair International has performed the first flight of its new Synergy ab initio trainer for the Colombian air force, following the kit aircraft's assembly by state-owned aerospace company CIAC.
Lancair test pilot Pete Zaccagnino made the initial flight with the two-seat aircraft from Madrid, Colombia on 29 September. The trainer "performed well and met expectations", the company says.
© Lancair International
Two more Colombian-assembled examples will be handed over to the air force this year under a 25-aircraft order, with the rest to enter use during 2011.
With a fixed landing gear and powered by a 210hp (155kW) Textron Lycoming IO-390 engine, the Synergy will replace the service's remaining Cessna T-41D Mescaleros.
The new aircraft is based on Lancair's Legacygeneral aviation platform, but features a 20% larger wing with longer flaps, plus a redesigned vertical stabiliser and rudder.
© Lancair International
"These changes yield a high-performance aircraft that is a stable, easy-to-fly training platform with a low stall speed," the US company says.