C-101 Aviojet

The C101 " Aviojet " is the training airplane of the Spanish Air Force. The airplane is constructed by Construcciones Aerona'uticas S.A. (C.A.S.A.) entirely in Spain. The C-101 is an advanced trainer that allows a complete aeronautical education, from first stage of the flight learning to those own ones of the transition to the airplanes battle. Its good aerodynamic properties, security, facility of handling, low cost of operation and complete instrumentation provide a suitable airplane for flight education as well as for acrobatic flight.

The CASA C-101 is an attack aircraft and jet trainer. The disposition of the cabin is in tandem and with an elevated back seat which provides excellent visibility from both positions. The airplane is equipped with the Garrett TFE-731-5 turbofan motor, considered one of the best turbofans. The engine is proven and trustworthy, and characterized by low consumption to fuel, low emission of noises and infrared and reduced maintenance. The exhaust pipes of the turbofan are over the wing and in front of the leading edge, at sufficient height to eliminate problems of ingestion of foreign objects (FOD). The straight wing is mounted on the inferior part of the fuselage, allowing a wide, short and robust undercarriage. This type of aerodynamic solution equips the airplane with excellent maneuverability.

The air brake this located in the central zone of the fuselage and is driven, like the flaps hydraulically. The relative position of the horizontal and vertical surfaces of the tail assures very good recovery characteristics. Six hard points under the wing and a central station in the fuselage, allow the transport of over 4,000 lbs of payload, and provide to the C-101 a high tactical capabilities.

This airplane represents the second generation of basic jet trainers. The initial project of the C-101 goes back to the summer of 1974, when the Spanish aeronautics industry faced a crisis due to the cancellation of the CASA C-401 transport program . The program for the C-101 was approved in Cabinet on 10 January 1975, based on the proposal negotiated of the Ministry of the Air with CASA. The objective was to obtain a basic and advanced jet trainer for the 1980s and 1990s that was a suitable substitute for Spain's HA-200 Saeta and T-3A, but also to old the T-6 Texan. The new aircraft was required to have, among other things, greater maneuverability at all altitudes, lower specific fuel consumption (for which the high by-pass engine Garrett TFE-731 was chosen), and a greater ease of operation.

Fulfilling the terms of the program of development in remarkably short time, the first prototype was presented the public on 27 May 1977. In less than a year, four prototypes were already in the air. During 1978 the newly created Ministry of Defense requested a total of sixty units of the C-101, a number later increased to eighty. The first C-101 of series production flew on 08 October 1979 , and the four first units were given officially to the Aviation school of San Javier on 17 January 1980.

The Aviojet is the exhibitor of the Spainish Air Force, being the airplane used in its exhibitions by the "Eagle" squadron that flies acrobatics everywhere

The Aviojet is in service in Spain, Chile, Honduras and Jordan. About 145 were delivered. The Spanish Air Force uses the version EB, though the company has developed other versions. Version CC is an airplane of tactical support, able to use different types from pumps and rockets, and the last version the DD, is also of tactical support with a new system of mission and avionics.