MELEX, THE US marketing arm of PZL Miele, says that a Latin American government has placed an order for more than 70 Polish-built M-26 light aircraft for training and border patrol.
The tandem-seat, high-performance, aerobatic aircraft is expected to gain US certification in July. The M-26 is built in Poland by Mielec and marketed by North Carolina-based Melex.
Melex says that, in addition to the Latin American order, several other military organisations are looking at the M-26, which sells for about $220,000 in military configuration and $180,000 commercially. The M-26's two hard points each carry up to 120kg.
Melex says that the main appeal of the M-26 in the USA is for the rapidly growing simulated air-combat market, for which the company offers a standard package with smoke, video and laser guns. The aircraft is also seen as a fast cross-country aircraft to compete with the Raytheon Beech Bonanza.
Source: Flight International