Fifty years after the first flight of the Embraer Bandeirante, Desaer (Desenvolvimento Aeronáutica) is working on its ATL-100 project for an "Avião de Transporte Leve” (light transport aircraft) that it says is the ideal modern substitute for the Brazilian classic. The project is 100 percent Brazilian and is aimed at producing a twin-engine utility transport that can be used for both regional commercial and military transport tasks. A simple cabin and cockpit mock-up is on show at LABACE 2019.

Created by former Embraer employees in 2017, Desaer resides at Incubaero, an incubator for start-ups and new aerospace projects at the Fundação Casimiro Montenegro Filho, one of the technology development institutes within the DCTA facility at São José dos Campos. Parented by the Brazilian air force, the DCTA (Departamento de Ciência e Tecnologia Aeroespacial, department of aerospace science and technology) is Brazil’s national military research center for aerospace projects and activities.

To be powered by two turboprops in the 1,000-shp class, the ATL-100 is an unpressurized transport of high-wing, T-tailed configuration with low cost of acquisition and operation as key design drivers. It has a square-section cabin that can be arranged to accommodate 19-passenger seating in a single row on the left and double row on the right, 12 paratroops, and two jumpmasters on sidewall tip-up seats, stretchers for the aeromedical evacuation/air ambulance role, or three LD3 containers. The latter cannot be accommodated within current utility types such as the Bandeirante, Viking Twin Otter, Dornier Do 228, or LET 410. The ATL-100 has a rear loading ramp that also facilitates rapid reconfiguration. The capacious cabin would also make the ATL-100 a candidate for modification for other special missions.

Desaer is aiming for ANAC certification under the Part 23.3(d) Commuter category with a maximum takeoff weight of up to 8,620 kg (19,000 pounds). The aircraft has a wingspan of around 20 meters (66 feet). Maximum cruising speed is expected to be 232 knots, with a long-range cruise speed of around 205 knots. Typical range is quoted as more than 864 nm. The aircraft can operate from unpaved airstrips.