Flying the Little Italian Stallion – The SIAI-Marchetti S.211

by Luigino Caliaro

Amongst those who witnessed the SIAI-Marchetti S.211 prototype jet trainer make its first flight on April 10th, 1981, only a few could have imagined that this jet trainer, the first design of its type to come from the celebrated Italian aerospace company, would undergo a second lease of life on the civilian market more than thirty year later. Moreover, it is likely that the project will enjoy a third phase in its career with  Alenia Aermacchi, a subsidiary of Leonardo-Finmeccanica, offering an upgraded S.211 named the M-345 HET. The Aeronautica Militare (Italian Air Force) selected the M-345 in 2013 as the future mount for the Italian national aerobatic team, the Frecce Tricolori. It is scheduled to debut with the world-famous organization during their 2017 display season.

THE AIRCRAFT

This little trainer represents the swan song of SIAI-Marchetti. It was the first jet aircraft design to emerge from their facility at Sesto Calende, but also the last to enter into production before the historic company merged with Aermacchi at Vergiate, which itself became a part of the massive Finmeccanica conglomerate. The S.211 concept, developed by the SIAI design team and self-financed by the Lombardia manufacturer, was centred around the creation on an integrated training system for military pilots who, having gained their first flying experience on the piston-engined SF.260 light aircraft, would transition directly onto jets; completing both basic and advanced training courses on the same aircraft. The aircraft, presented as a mock-up at the Paris Salon in 1979, performed its first flight from the runway at Malpensa on April 10th, 1981, with Comandante Alessandro Ghisleni at the controls. During initial trials, the S.211 demonstrated good handling characteristics, attracting significant interest from numerous air arms intent on re-equipping their flying schools with a modern, economical aircraft. In fact, with the adoption of the Pratt&Whitney JT15D-4C turbofan (very similar to the engine used by the Cessna Citation), the S.211 proved highly economical to operate. Nevertheless, despite its excellent characteristics, the diminutive trainer failed to achieve the anticipated successes in the military field, with the largest order coming from the Republic of Singapore Air Force, which ordered 32 examples between 1983 and 1984; flying them until 2008. The Philippine Air Force acquired 25 of the Italian trainers; four of which are still operational. The final export success saw four examples heading to Haiti in 1985, although they didn’t stay long in the desperately poor nation, which put them up for sale in 1990… some of them moved on to Singapore while others went to American civilians.

In the 1990s, the SIAI S.211 was a contender in the JPATS (Joint Primary Aircraft Training System) competition, intended to result in the acquisition of a new basic trainer for the American armed forces. SIAI-Marchetti’s initial S.211 design received significant upgrades in order to meet the demanding requirements specified by the JPATS competition. They teamed up with the Grumman Aerospace Corporation, as all foreign-designed aircraft in the contest had to be offered by an American-based company. Unfortunately for the S.211, although the trainer was deemed the best of the jet-powered competitors (even outclassing its bitterest rival, the Aermacchi MB-339C), the Pentagon chose the Raytheon T-6 Texan II, an American development of the Swiss-designed Pilatus PC-9 turboprop.

S.211 Jet, LLC
Despite the American government failing to select the S.211 for its JAPTS program, Doug Matthews, the owner of Classic Fighters of America and a true aviation enthusiast, feels that the Siai-Marchetti S.211 represents a highly capable basic trainer and an excellent fit for the civilian market. Doug Matthews talks about the type with real conviction drawn from personal experience. Matthews, as a former US Navy pilot, Citation test pilot, and professional air display performer with more than 20,000 flying hours, knows of what he speaks.  He encountered the ‘211 for the first time a few years ago during a visit to the EAA AirVenture at Oshkosh. At first glance, Doug Matthews thought he was looking at an ex-US Navy T-45, but quickly realized his error, “I approached the aircraft with curiosity,” he said, “trying to identify what it was. I thought I knew all the former military jets flying in the civilian sector, but I was mistaken! Finally, I caught sight of the data plate positioned on the tail of the aircraft …It’s a Siai-Marchetti S.211!” A year or so later, Matthews took a call from a friend in California, the happy owner of an ex-Republic of Singapore Air Force S.211, who invited him to come and try the aircraft. For Matthews, it was love at first sight. “I quickly got to work,” he said, “and shortly afterwards I bought the fourth example  to be registered in the United States [Ed.another ex-RSAF jet].”

Today there are at least twelve operational SIAI S.211s registered in the United States, and around twenty five others in the rest of the world (out of roughly sixty produced). The aircraft, all sold through an Australian broker who acquired them surplus from the Republic of Singapore and Philippine Air Forces, have achieved notable success on the American market thanks to their performance and thrifty operation. “It is a really good aircraft,” Doug Matthews continued. “It is fully aerobatic, easy to fly and above all, economical to operate. With fuel consumption of just under 70 gallons per hour and a speed of 330 knots at 28,000 feet it represents an excellent mode of transport, especially for rapid work-related trips.” By way of comparison, the popular Czech-designed Aero Vodochody L-39’s average fuel consumption rate is more than double that of the S.211. It isn’t by chance that Doug Matthews frequently uses one of his S.211s for business travel in connection with his aviation consultancy and commercial jet trading business. His satisfaction with this Italian jewel is so great that Matthews established the company S.211 Jet LLC around eighteen months ago in Titusville, Florida, aiming to become the reference point and broker for all North American-based S.211s.

In recent months, Matthews has been heavily involved in this new venture, touring the world, and frequently visiting Italy, to acquire airframes and spare parts for the aircraft. Currently he possesses three S.211s plus a further example which he operates and maintains for a client. S-211 Jet, LLC’s workshop is fully equipped to conduct complete restorations, maintenance, and the application of personal modifications to any client’s potential need, whether it be the  installation of a modern ‘glass cockpit’ or state of the art navigation equipment, etc. Matthews states that, “The SIAI is a very simple aircraft, and offers us very few problems of a technical nature. The turbofan engine has been extensively tested and there are no problems with spare parts, given that it is widely used, in different versions, by many executive aircraft. The fact that the greater part of its components have been manufactured in the USA (a strategy adopted for the JPATS competition) can do nothing but increase its attractiveness from the technical maintenance aspect, as it offers the possibility of making notable savings in operating managements costs….  Having had the opportunity to fly this little Italian gem for a couple of years, I have come to the conclusion that the aircraft represents an excellent and economic platform from conversion from propeller to jet powered aircraft. For this reason S-211 Jet, LLC does not limit itself to offering sales of the aircraft or its maintenance, but provides clients with packages and complete training programmes, such as propeller-to-jet conversion, the opportunity for “jet-time building” and aerobatic and formation flying training. This is possible thanks to the collaboration and generosity of a former Italian military pilot with significant experience, Piercarlo Ciacchi, who has a background of thousands of hours on the F-104 and F-16 and who flew for a few years with the Italian national aerobatic team. For those who desire it, moreover, we can offer simple “jet-life experience” flights at a very attractive cost.”

In the company’s home base of Titusville, Florida, we met Piercarlo Ciacchi, an old friend of mine formerly of the Frecce Tricolori, who moved to the USA to fly the F-104s operated by Starfighters Aerospace at Cape Canaveral.  Ciacchi confirms Matthews’ positive opinion of the little Italian trainer, and we took advantage of the fact that there was probably no one better to offer a judgement about the comparative merits of the two Italian jet trainers built in the 1990s, the Aermacchi MB 339 and our subject, the SIAI S.211. Ciacchi said that “the ‘339 is the ideal machine for military pilot training. It is a much more ‘complete’ aircraft, in the sense that it has a very well-defined flight envelope, without critical areas, and is docile and above all forgives many of the mistakes that a student pilot can create while bringing the aircraft to the limits of its capacity. The 211, on the contrary, is an aircraft born with good intentions although, perhaps because it was the first aircraft of its type to be constructed by SIAI, it reflects a little lack of experience and development in comparison with the MB 339, which in practice represents an improved evolution of the already excellent MB 326. Comparing the two machines, the SIAI has less power than the ‘339 and has a slightly less predictable flight envelope. In flight it is slightly more unstable and more nervous, a virtue of its short span swept wing, and has a much more accentuated rate of roll, which while in the hands of an expert pilot can represent a winning solution, can provoke a little apprehension when encountered by a student. In general I consider it a good military training aircraft, although it is a little less pleasant than the MB 339. Nevertheless, for the requirements of the American civil market, where the aircraft will not be subjected to the significant stresses of military operations, the SIAI 211 is an absolute winner, thanks above all to the limited operating costs and to its simplicity.” Before taking his leave of us, Matthews affirmed that the prospects for the new company are decidedly interesting, especially if the potential support and training activity contracts with the American armed forces, using the SIAI as a target aircraft, can be brought to fruition.

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WarbirdsNews wishes to thank Luigino Caliari for his words and photographs, and of course Doug Matthews and Piercarlo Ciacchi for spending time with us for the article.

For further information    www.s211jet.com

Moreno Aguiari

Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.

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