The Embraer EMB-202 Ipanema, also known as the "Ipanemão," is a specialized agricultural aircraft developed to meet the specific requirements of the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture. Introduced in 1992 as an evolution of the earlier EMB-200 and EMB-201 series, the EMB-202 featured several key improvements, including an increased wingspan, a larger chemical hopper, and a higher payload capacity. The first delivery of the EMB-202 occurred on October 2, 1992.
Originally designed by Embraer, the production of the Ipanema family was transferred to Indústria Aeronáutica Neiva between March 1980 and 1982. Neiva, which later became a subsidiary of Embraer, has since produced the aircraft at its facility in Botucatu, São Paulo state, Brazil. While the overall Ipanema line has seen extensive production—with estimates ranging from 1,360 to over 1,500 units sold—specific cumulative production totals for the EMB-202 variant are not explicitly recorded, though 15 units were noted as produced in the year 2000 alone.
Technically, the EMB-202 is a single-seat, low-wing monoplane with conventional tailwheel landing gear, optimized for rugged agricultural strips. It is powered by a 300 hp (224 kW) six-cylinder, air-cooled, fuel-injected piston engine. Operators can choose between the Textron Lycoming IO-540-K1J5D, paired with a Hartzell two-blade (or optional three-blade) constant-speed propeller, or the Teledyne Continental IO-550-D, which utilizes a McCauley two-blade constant-speed propeller. The aircraft is designed for high-volume aerial application, featuring a hopper capable of holding 950 liters of liquid or 750 kg of dry material.
One of the most notable achievements of the EMB-202 is its role as a pioneer in alternative aviation fuels. Between 2004 and 2005, Embraer and Brazilian aerospace authorities certified an ethanol-powered version of the aircraft, making it the first production-series fixed-wing aircraft approved to run on sugarcane alcohol. This variant maintained a power output of approximately 300 hp while offering lower operating costs and improved performance in high-temperature environments.
In service, the EMB-202 has become a dominant force in Brazilian agriculture, utilized extensively by private farmers and agricultural operators for the application of seeds, pesticides, and fertilizers. The Brazilian Air Force also operates the Ipanema family for support and agricultural roles. The aircraft's legacy is marked by its durability; as of 2017, over 1,200 airworthy Ipanema aircraft remained registered, reflecting a high survival rate for a specialized agricultural type.