CASA C-101 Aviojet

The CASA C-101 Aviojet is a low-wing single engine <a href="/facts/Jet_engine/CJjFpeqt">jet-powered</a> advanced <a href="/facts/Trainer_(aircraft)/7sfKaA8h">trainer</a> and <a href="/facts/Ground-attack_aircraft/Rkc7Ft5I">light attack</a> aircraft designed and manufactured by Spanish aircraft company <a href="/facts/Construcciones_Aeron%25C3%25A1uticas_SA/z726esKI">Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA</a> (CASA).
The C-101 was developed in response to a <a href="/facts/Spanish_Air_Force/Ho2MWHlh">Spanish Air Force</a> requirement, which needed a replacement for the outdated <a href="/facts/Hispano_HA-200/wRVUH6b7">Hispano Saeta</a>. During 1975, CASA commenced work on what would become the C-101. In addition to its own design team, technical assistance was provided by <a href="/facts/West_German/oCydk787">Germany</a>'s <a href="/facts/Messerschmitt-B%25C3%25B6lkow-Blohm/Gy1KlrMB">Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm</a> (MBB) and the United States' <a href="/facts/Northrop_Corporation/X7DPKcx1">Northrop</a>. In June 1977, the first of four prototypes performed the type's <a href="/facts/Maiden_flight/LW569ILn">maiden flight</a>. The design was somewhat reminiscent of other jet trainers of the era, such as the <a href="/facts/BAE_Systems_Hawk/BtG0CK4J">BAE Hawk</a> and the <a href="/facts/Dassault%2fDornier_Alpha_Jet/w0WEMBVE">Alpha Jet</a>, but was less <a href="/facts/Aerodynamics/Cn6Lnl3H">aerodynamically</a> sophisticated, being equipped with an un<a href="/facts/Swept_wing/MTVsghhX">swept wing</a>. Performance of the C-101 during flight testing was reported in excess of predictions.
On 17 March 1980, the first examples were introduced to operational service with the Spanish Air Force, which would be the principal customer for the C-101. The initial model possessed only a limited weapons capability, this attack capability was expanded upon later-built aircraft. Several models were exported to overseas operators; the C-101 has been adopted by the <a href="/facts/Chilean_Air_Force/MHNXvK2h">Chilean Air Force</a>, <a href="/facts/Honduran_Air_Force/XYsgsjDD">Honduran Air Force</a> and the <a href="/facts/Royal_Jordanian_Air_Force/AeWVc4VC">Royal Jordanian Air Force</a>. A final improved model, designated C-101DD, was demonstrated but did not find customers and thus it did not enter serial production. In addition to its use as a trainer aircraft, it has been used to perform <a href="/facts/Aerobatics/fo13tSeT">aerobatics</a>; in the latter context, it has been flown by the <a href="/facts/Patrulla_Aguila/5chTohW5">Patrulla Aguila</a> <a href="/facts/Aerobatics/fo13tSeT">aerobatics</a> team. As of 2019, the C-101 remains in service in the <a href="/facts/Spanish_Air_Force/Ho2MWHlh">Spanish Air Force</a> and several other countries.
Early on in the 2010s there were talks about the replacement of the C-101. Finally, in 2020 it was decided that the C-101 would be replaced by the <a href="/facts/Pilatus_PC-21/obaCr8wz">Pilatus PC-21</a> (24) and the Airbus Future Jet Trainer (50 - 55).

CASA C-101 Aviojet open-in-new

CASA C-101 Aviojet