C-27J Spartan - Italy

Not surprisingly, given the fact of its being a product of Italian firm Leonardo, the Italian Air Force was the first country to begin operating the twin-turboprop C-27J medium transport, doing so in 2006. It has since largely superseded the Aeritalia C-222 (previously G222) on which the Spartan was based, and taken part in multi-national operations, not least in Afghanistan. Visitors to RIAT 2019 can expect to witness a spectacular display from the Italian C-27J operated by the Reparto Sperimentale Volo flight test centre, featuring many manoeuvres not usually seen performed by an airlift aircraft; as well as seeing examples up close on the ground from other nations.