Sfreddo & Paolini
T-1 Tucán
The T‑1 Tucán, produced by the Italian‑Swiss partnership Sfreddo & Paolini, entered service in 1974 as a light‑sport trainer designed to replace aging primary‑flight aircraft in regional aeroclubs. Development began in 1970 when engineers Alejandro Sfreddo and Marco Paolini combined Sfreddo’s expertise in composite wing structures with Paolini’s proven aluminum fuselage techniques. The prototype flew for the first time on 12 March 1973 from the Milan‑Linate test field, and after a brief certification program it was marketed to flight schools across Europe and South America.
Key features include a low‑wing monoplane layout, a semi‑monocoque aluminum–glass‑fibre hybrid airframe, and a 115‑horsepower Lycoming O‑320‑E2 engine driving a two‑bladed constant‑speed propeller. The cockpit is side‑by‑side, equipped with dual red‑flashing instrumentation, a ballistic recovery system, and optional glass‑cockpit avionics. Its 9.5‑meter wingspan and 12‑kilogram fuel capacity give a maximum range of 940 km and a stall speed of 61 km/h, making it forgiving for novice pilots.
The T‑1 Tucán became significant for its economical operating costs, ease of maintenance, and the way it introduced modern composite technology to low‑cost training aircraft, influencing subsequent designs throughout the 1980s.
Key features include a low‑wing monoplane layout, a semi‑monocoque aluminum–glass‑fibre hybrid airframe, and a 115‑horsepower Lycoming O‑320‑E2 engine driving a two‑bladed constant‑speed propeller. The cockpit is side‑by‑side, equipped with dual red‑flashing instrumentation, a ballistic recovery system, and optional glass‑cockpit avionics. Its 9.5‑meter wingspan and 12‑kilogram fuel capacity give a maximum range of 940 km and a stall speed of 61 km/h, making it forgiving for novice pilots.
The T‑1 Tucán became significant for its economical operating costs, ease of maintenance, and the way it introduced modern composite technology to low‑cost training aircraft, influencing subsequent designs throughout the 1980s.