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Inside the M-345 Tutor II, Leonardo’s jet trainer competing for Canada FAcT

Leonardo describes its new M-345 Tutor II basic trainer aircraft as one of the cornerstones of its offer for the Canadian Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program. In the video below, Test Pilot Quirino Bucci, Head of Test Pilot Training Programs for Leonardo’s Aircraft Division, presents characteristics of the jet trainer. The first units of the M-345 Tutor II entered service at the Italian Air Force 61st Wing in Galatina (Lecce) back in December 2020.

Building on Leonardo’s long history with supplier jet trainers, including the Aermacchi MB-326 and MB-339 – highly successful aircraft with over 1,000 units produced and that entered into service with air forces worldwide.

Leonardo’s M-345 jet trainer certified, ready for global market

The M-345 builds on Leonardo’s long history with suppling jet trainers, including the Aermacchi MB-326 and MB-339, with more than 1,000 units produced that have entered into service with air forces around the world. Leonardo describes the Aermacchi M-345 as a simple, efficient, high-performance basic-advanced jet trainer, fast and highly manoeuvrable, to provide student pilots with a true jet experience – unmatched by competitors’ turboprop trainers.

Leonardo’s new M-345 entered into service with the Italian Air Force in December 2020. (Photo: Leonardo)

Leonardo explains the Aermacchi M-345 Tutor II is ideally suited for Canada’s entire training syllabus, looking to provide scalable comprehensive basic and advanced flight training for Royal Canadian Air Force student pilots. Leonardo also points out the M-345 Tutor II is a candidate to represent Canada in the livery of the Showbirds aerobatic team, potentially replacing ageing CT-114 Tutors currently in service.

The Italian Air Force’s aerobatic display team, Frecce Tricolori, is scheduled to transition from the MB-339A to the M-345.