Philippine A-29 Super Tucano starts delivery flight
On 29 August 2020, the six Embraer A-29 Super Tucanos ordered by the Hukbong Himpapawid ng Pilipinas (Philippine Air Force) started their delivery flight departing Sao Jose Dos Campos (SJK, Brazil) on their way to Recife (REC) with onwards flight expected to Fernando de Noronha (FEN) on Sunday 30 August 2020.
The aircraft were ordered on 30 November 2017 with an option for another 18 aircraft. The A-29s will be used in the Close Air Support, Air-to-Air Intercept and surveillance roles and are expected to join the 15th Strike Wing/16th Strike Squadron "Eagles" at Danielo Atienza-Cavite air base near the capital Manila. If correct, the OV-10 Broncos are expected to be moved to the 17th Attack Squadron "Jaguars" at the same air base, where they will replace the SF260TPs.
Initially, a Dornier 228 would join the delivery flight to provide logistic support in those uncertain times with a virus all around. During their delivery flights the aircraft can be followed using their Brazilian test- and delivery registrations PT-ZZM/-ZZN/-ZZO/-ZZQ/-ZZS/-ZZU. PT-ZZM already made its first flight on 4 November 2019.
The delivery flight will continue via Amilcar Cabral, Sal Island (Cape Verde), Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain), Málaga (Spain) and Luqa (Malta). Unfortunately no dates are known at this moment.
Photos: Ruben Zammit/MaxDefense Philippines, Max Montero and Leonardo G. Santana