Aermacchi M-345 visits Rivolto AFB, home of the Frecce Tricolori, for the first time

Aermacchi M-345 at Rivolto AFB, Italy.

On August 1, the M-345 landed at Rivoloto Air Force Base, northern Italy, for the first time. Rivolto AFB is very famous as the home of the Italian aerobatic team Frecce Tricolori. Leonardo's trainer jet was taking part in a training mission together with a T-346A of the Italian Air Force. Its presence at Rivolot AFB marks a step towards the future as it will soon join the Italian aerobatic team to replace the MB-339PAN. Furthermore, the M-345 (which will be named T-346A at the ITAF), will probably also be part of the International Flight Training School - IFTS launched by the Italian Air Force and Leonardo SpA. It will fly out of the 61st Wing at Galatina AFB to conduct the second and third training phase for national and foreign student pilots.

Leonardo recently showed its brand new jet at the Paris Air Show 2019 obtaining great response from the audience. According to a statement by Alessandro Profumo, CEO of the Italian aerospace company, the first international customer for the aircraft will be unveiled in the coming months. The aircraft will soon join the fleet of the Italian Air Force, the launch customer, which has already ordered 18 jets. The M-345 is also participating in the Canadian tender to join the RCAF and Snowbirds fleet.

After the visit to Rivolto, the two jets will fly to Sliač Air Base, Slovakia, to take part in the Slovak International Air Fest 2019 - SLIAC 2019, on August 3-4. They will be displayed in the static area together with an ITAF C-27J Spartan and HH-139A.

Written by Matteo Sanzani

Images: Italian Air Force