The RAF's basic flying trainer is the Tucano T1, which is powered by a Garrett TPE331 turbo-prop engine. The Tucano replaced the venerable Jet Provost in RAF service, the turbo-prop design being chosen for its greater fuel efficiency and lower operating costs. The handling of the Tucano is very jet-like, and its tandem cockpit layout prepares the student pilot for progression to the Hawk T1 advanced flying trainer and thence to fast-jet aircraft on the front line. Like all RAF training aircraft, Tucanos have recently been painted in an all black colour scheme. This high-visibility scheme has been selected as it has been demonstrated that the human eye can pick out black against a background more readily than any other colour.

Powerplant: One Garrett TPE331 12B turboprop of 1,100shp 1 (820kW).

Span: 37ft 0in (11.28m)

Length: 32ft 4in (9.86m)

Max Speed: 315mph (507km/h)

Accommodation: Two crew in tandem cockpit.

Recognition: Low-set unswept wings without tip tanks Rudder extends beyond the trailing edge of the tailplane. Large clear view canopy covering the tandem cockpit, with the rear seat higher than the front. Large exhausts on the forward cowling sides.