The Portuguese Air Force has new military personnel receiving theoretical KC-390 training. The theoretical qualification is being given at Embraer Brasil’s facilities in Sao José dos Campos and is expected to be completed by the end of May. Since the beginning of April, six loadmasters have started theoretical qualification, later joined by four pilots, six electroavionics engineers, and six electromechanics. It should be recalled that Portugal acquired five KC-390 aircraft and a simulator in 2019, and the first Portuguese crew successfully completed the qualification course in November 2021.
The first Portuguese aircraft landed in Beja last year and is currently in the NATO equipment integration phase and being certified by the National Aeronautical Authority before delivery to the Air Force. has new military personnel receiving theoretical KC-390 training. Since the beginning of April, six loadmasters have started theoretical qualification, later joined by four pilots, six electroavionics engineers, and six electromechanics. The theoretical qualification is being given at Embraer Brasil’s facilities in Sao José dos Campos and is expected to be completed by the end of May.
In February 2010, Embraer proposed the C-390 to the Portuguese Ministry of National Defence (Ministério da Defesa Nacional) as a replacement option for the Portuguese Air Force’s aging fleet of C-130s. In July 2017, the Portuguese government authorized the purchase of five C-390 airlifters, with the option for a sixth. The deal, which includes not only five C-390s but also a flight simulator for pilot training, was reportedly costed at €827 million. The first aircraft was set to be delivered to Portugal in February 2023, while the final C-390 was to be handed over by February 2027.
The Embraer C-390 Millennium is a medium-size, twin-engine, jet-powered military transport aircraft designed and produced by the Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer. It is the heaviest aircraft the company has constructed to date. The Embraer C-390 Millennium is a mid-sized utility transport aircraft. Its design permits flexible operations; both the internal and external configuration of the aircraft can be rapidly interchanged to accommodate different mission roles. It also incorporates modern technology and mission software to aid crews in carrying out operations. The cockpit has head-up displays for the enhanced vision system with four cameras and Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion commercial avionics.