The design is based on the EMB 110 Bandeirante, using its wing and engine design merged with an all-new fuselage. The EMB 121 first flew on 10 October 1976. A modified form of the EMB 121, the EMB 121A1 Xingu II, was introduced on 4 September 1981 with a more powerful engine (PT6A-135), increased seating (8 or 9 passengers) and a larger fuel capacity. Before production ceased in August 1987, Embraer had produced 106 EMB 121 aircraft, 51 of which were exported to countries outside Brazil. Currently, the French Air Force is the largest operator with 23 aircraft still in service. Variants EMB 121A Xingu I Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-28 EMB 121A1 Xingu II Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-135 EMB 121B Xingu III Projected stretched development, not proceeded with,[2] to have been powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-42 engines. EMB 123 Tapajós planned version with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-45 VU-9 Brazilian Air Force designation Specifications below are for the EMB 121A1 Xingu II.
