Chile's ENAER is relaunching its Turbo Pillan here as "a cheaper Super Tucano--but a very good, lighter alternative," according to ENAER's commercial director Gen. Hector Monje Reeve.

The aircraft on show here features an upgraded glass cockpit with multifunction displays and is fitted with a forward looking infrared (FLIR) pod on one of its new underwing hardpoints.

"This is an operational plane, not a basic trainer," Monje told Show News. For twice the list price of a piston-powered Pillan basic trainer, the Turbo Pillan offers turboprop power (a 420 shp Rolls-Royce 250 B17D) and a light weapons delivery and counter- insurgency capability. It is, of course, not in the same league as the Super Tucano, but it could fill a lightweight niche, Monje said.

The sole Turbo Pillan is currently completing its operational evaluation with the Chilean air force (FACh). ENAER sees potential markets for the "mini-Super Tucano" in Central and South America, as well as Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Meanwhile the piston Pillan trainer remains in production. ENAER has delivered 130 to date, and plans on producing 10 more this year with the potential to ramp up to 20 a year.