An SF‑260 Siai Marchetti from Beauvechain Air Base will be presented in static display during our event.
As an iconic training aircraft of Defence the SF‑260 represents the first step in the path of future military pilots. Its presence will allow the public to discover up close a key aircraft of aeronautical training in Belgium.

Beauvechain Air Base: pillar of pilot training

Since 1996, the SF‑260 has been used by Beauvechain Air Base for basic flight training. It enables students to acquire the fundamental skills essential for any future military pilot.

This phase is essential: it makes it possible to assess the actual aptitude for military flying. At the end of this phase, students are directed towards a track: helicopters, fighter aircraft or transport, depending on their results.

An aircraft designed for training

The SF‑260 Siai Marchetti is a light training aircraft known for its manoeuvrability its robustness and its educational qualities. It is used for the discovery of flying navigation training visual reference acquisition the introduction to elementary manoeuvres.

Thanks to its balance between performance and ease of handling it remains perfectly suited to the needs of initial training.

Getting to know the SF‑260 Siai Marchetti

General characteristics (version in service)

• Role : basic training aircraft
• Configuration : two‑seat
• Engines: : Lycoming O‑540 – 260 ch
• Maximum speed: : approximately 285 km/h
• Cruise speed: : approximately 260 km/h
• Range: : ongeveer 1 300 km

These characteristics make the SF‑260 an excellent compromise between a conventional training aircraft and a first experience of a military aircraft.

An aircraft to discover up close on the ground

During the event, the public will be able to admire the SF‑260 in static display to observe its compact and robust configuration, discover its cockpit and training environment, better understand the role of this aircraft in the training path of military pilots and approach an aircraft that represents the starting point of many aeronautical careers.

A symbol of Belgian aeronautical training

The presence of the SF‑260 from Beauvechain Air Base, exclusively on the ground, highlights a phase of Defence that is often little known but essential namely training and the transmission of aeronautical know‑how.

This aircraft embodies the first chapter of a military pilot’s path and constitutes a direct link between generations of aviators.

Photo credit: BAF IPR