Embraer Emb-202 Ipanema

Single Piston

The Embraer EMB-202 Ipanema is a purpose-built agricultural aircraft that holds the distinction of being the first production airplane designed from the outset to run on ethanol fuel. Developed in Brazil during the 1970s and continuously refined through multiple variants, the Ipanema was engineered specifically for crop dusting and aerial application work in tropical and subtropical climates. Its low-wing monoplane configuration, robust steel-tube fuselage, and corrosion-resistant construction make it ideally suited for the demanding environment of agricultural aviation, where aircraft routinely operate at low altitude in dusty, chemical-laden conditions. The type's ability to operate on ethanol—a renewable fuel abundant in Brazil's sugarcane industry—gave it a unique economic advantage in its home market and demonstrated Embraer's early commitment to alternative fuels decades before sustainable aviation became a global priority. Powered by a Lycoming IO-540 engine producing around 300 horsepower, the Ipanema can carry up to 950 pounds of liquid chemicals or dry materials in its hopper, with a typical working speed of 90-110 knots and an operating ceiling sufficient for the low-level passes required in agricultural work. While the type never achieved significant exports beyond South America, it became the backbone of Brazil's aerial application fleet and remained in production for over four decades—one of the longest production runs of any agricultural aircraft. The Ipanema's reputation for ruggedness, ease of maintenance, and suitability for unprepared strips made it a favorite among operators working remote fazendas and plantations. SkyMeter has tracked 1 flights across 1 airframes and 1 operators, with the largest observed operator.