T-25 / Neiva Universal

The period immediately following World War II (1939�1945) definitively elected the airplane as the main piece of defense equipment, especially as an efficient means of transportation. Commercial air transportation gained new dimensions, stimulating the development of new technologies, such as the jet engine. Therefore, the aeronautics industry became stronger after the 1950s, especially in the United States.

In Brazil, the production of airplanes was incipient. By the end of the war, there were a few important factories in the country, such as CNNA and CAP, along with companies that supplied aircraft components. Also, there were initiatives for the production of more sophisticated aircraft, under licensing from North American and European companies, such as the Gale�o and Lagoa Santa factories. But, among all of these initiatives, the most important one during the pre-Embraer phase was the creation of the Neiva Aircraft Construction Corporation, founded in 1954.

Starting in 1962, Neiva Aeronautics Industry developed the T-25 Universal, to substitute the North American T-6, specifically for military training. This aircraft is considered the Embraer Tucano predecessor. Neiva received 150 orders from the Brazilian Air Force (FAB). The aircraft is used in second degree of primary basic instruction. The T-25 is also used by Chile and Paraguai air force. This project was made with the Brazilian Air force Academy partnership.

The construction of the Universal prototype began in May of 1965, and on April 29, 1966, its maiden flight was performed. The Air Force Ministry signed a contract, which at the time was considered to be the largest contract in the Brazilian aeronautics industry, with an order for 150 units of the Universal, although the order was later reduced to 140 units. The aircraft was used for a long time by the Air Force Academy (AFA) with the military designation of T-25. Six units were exported to the Chilean army, for a total of 146 units built.

In 1978, Neiva obtained financing to develop a new and improved version of the Universal. Despite the fact that the Universal II exceeded all expectations in terms of performance, only the prototype was built, due to the crisis that Neiva was going through.

The T-25 / Neiva Universal is a single-engine, two seat (side by side), monoplane with high wings, metallic structure, retractable hydraulic tricycle landing gear, equipped with hydraulic disk brakes, pneumatic oil shock absorbers in the front wheel.