It is with considerable national pride that ENAER points to its Turbo Pillan as the holder of a world record.

Just over two years ago the sole prototype of the Rolls-Royce 250-powered Enaer Turbo Pillan toppled a 15-year record for its class, achieving a speed of 388.5 kph over a 15 km straight line course. The previous record of 378 kph was held by a Turboprop Bonanza.

Flown by Sqdn Ldr. Jaime Acosta Herrera and Flt Lt. Felipe Fernandez Mesa, the record-breaking Turbo Pilan scored two firsts: the first world record set by a Chilean airplane, and the first time a sealed GPS recorder (by Cambridge Aero Instruments) has been accepted as proof by the FAI.

The aircraft, No. 191, can be seen here at FIDAE 2002 albeit in a less speedy form. Trading performance for a little more drag, it is now showing off its new role as an advanced trainer equipped with a FLIR pod.