EMBRAER BROUGHT the first production KC-390 multi-mission airlifter for the Forga Aerea Brasileira (FAB, Brazilian Air Force) to this year's Paris Air Show. FAB serial 2853 (PT-ZNX, c 39000004) was in the static area at Le Bourget from June 17-23. After flight demonstrations on the first two days of the show, the tanker-transport returned to Brazil to begin the acceptance and delivery process. Milestones so far in the KC-390 programme include type certification from the Agenda Nacional de Aviagao Civil (ANAC), Brazil's National Civil Aviation Agency. The first series aircraft performed its maiden flight last October. To date, the flight test campaign has surpassed 2,200 flight hours. As part of the final tests before service entry, the second prototype KC-390, PT-ZNJ (c 39000002), was deployed to Rio de Janeiro International Airport-Galeao for trials work between May 21 and June 1. This included the type's first air refuelling tests as receiver, from May 22-24. After initial approaches to the tanker - an FAB KC-130M - the KC-390 then flew 'dry' contacts testing the refuelling probe.
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