The First Pre-Series Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Takes to the Air

>The first pre-production M-346 advanced jet trainer takes off from Aermacchis Venegono plant on its first flight. (Aermacchi photo)VENEGONO, Italy --- The first M-346 advanced trainer in the industrial pre-series configuration made its official first flight yesterday, flown by Alenia Aermacchi Chief Test Pilot Olinto Cecconello.>> The aircraft, identified as LRIP00, took off at 19.15 from the Venegono facilities of Alenia Aermacchi, a Finmeccanica group company.>> Upon landing, Captain Cecconello expressed his satisfaction about the aircraft. Compared to the two M-346 prototypes, the flying controls of LRIP00 are even more representative of a fifth-generation aircraft. This gem will offer a 20% performance improvement over the two prototypes, mainly due to the lower weight and the related ability to carry additional fuel, the improved outward visibility and the optimized pilot/aircraft dialogue, in part through an electronic check-list.">> The first pre-series M-346 simultaneously bears witness to and reinforces the great maturity of the program that - thanks to the intensive development work performed on the two prototypes - has led to the optimization and industrialization of the design.>> The first flight marks the beginning of the production phase of the M-346 programme, which will see the introduction of an extremely advanced production line designed by Alenia Aermacchi based on the digital manufacturing process.>> The design effort for the baseline industrial configuration aircraft has concentrated on structural optimisation, with additional benefits in terms of improved maintenance. The goal has been achieved through a different spacing of wing spars and fuselage frames, together with a wider use of composite and titanium parts.