The Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante is a twin-turboprop light transport and regional commuter aircraft, and it holds a very special place in aviation history — it was Embraer's very first aircraft. Designed for short-haul flights, military transport, and utility roles, it became the backbone of regional air travel in Brazil and many other countries.

🛩️ Overview:

• Role: Regional airliner / Utility aircraft / Military transport
• Manufacturer: Embraer (Brazil)
• First flight: October 26, 1968
• Entered service: 1973
• Production run: 1968–1990
• Total built: 501 aircraft
• Nickname: Bandeirante (Portuguese for “pioneer” or “explorer”)

🛠️ Key Specs (EMB-110P1/P2):

• Engines: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34 turboprops
• Power: ~750 shp (560 kW) each
• Cruise speed: ~250 knots (288 mph / 463 km/h)
• Range: ~1,575 km (980 mi)
• Service ceiling: 21,000 ft (6,400 m)
• Length: 15.1 m (49 ft 6 in)
• Wingspan: 15.3 m (50 ft 2 in)
• Passengers: 15–21 depending on configuration
• Crew: 2 (plus up to 1 cabin crew)

✨ Design Features:

• Unpressurized cabin in early versions (later models were pressurized)
• High-wing design for improved ground clearance and rough field performance
• Fixed tricycle landing gear in early variants; retractable in most commercial versions
• Capable of operating from short and unpaved runways
• Known for its rugged reliability and low maintenance needs

🧳 Major Operators:

✈️ Civil:

• Rio Sul (Brazil)
• Total Linhas Aéreas
• Aeropelican (Australia)
• Air Rarotonga (Cook Islands)
• Numerous charter and regional carriers in South America, Africa, and Asia

🪖 Military:

• Brazilian Air Force (as C-95, EC-95, R-95)
• Chile, Uruguay, Angola, and others
• Used for troop transport, training, surveillance, and medevac

🔁 Notable Variants:

• EMB-110P1 – Passenger/cargo combi version
• EMB-110P2 – Passenger-only, pressurized cabin
• EMB-110A – Aerial survey version
• C-95 – Brazilian military designation
• EC-95, R-95 – Electronic warfare and reconnaissance variants

🔥 Fun Facts:

• The Bandeirante was designed by French engineer Max Holste, who helped kickstart Embraer's jet program.
• It was the first aircraft produced by Embraer, marking Brazil’s entry into the modern aerospace industry.
• In many remote areas of Brazil, the Bandeirante was the only lifeline for passengers, mail, and supplies.
• Despite its age, dozens remain in active service, especially in remote and rugged environments.

🏁 Summary:

The Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante is a true aviation pioneer, living up to its name. It launched Embraer’s path to becoming a global aircraft manufacturer, served reliably for decades, and remains a symbol of Brazilian ingenuity. Whether flying in the Amazon, the Outback, or military airfields, the Bandeirante proved itself as a tough, adaptable, and enduring aircraft.