RFB Fantrainer

infobox Aircraft
name = Fantrainer
type = Basic trainer
manufacturer = Rhein-Flugzeugbau GmbH


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first flight = October 27, 1977
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retired =
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variants with their own articles = The RFB Fantrainer is a 1970s-era two-seat flight training aircraft which uses a ducted fan propulsion system. It was manufactured by Rhein-Flugzeugbau GmbH (RFB) in Germany and used by the German and Royal Thai Air forces.

The aircraft was produced in two models, the Fantrainer 400, powered by a 420 shp Allison 250-C20B, and the Fantrainer 600, which was powered by a 650 shp Allison 250-C30. In both, the turboprop engine drives a pusher fan.

First flight for the prototype aircraft took place on October 27, 1977. In August 1982, the Royal Thai Air Force signed a contract with RFB for 47 aircraft, 31 model 400 and 16 model 600. The first two aircraft were built in Germany, and the remaining aircraft were assembled in Thailand from kits shipped from RFB. After an initial period of operation, the RTAF elected to replace the aircraft's glass fiber wings with locally-produced aluminum wings. [ [http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/aa-eastasia/thailand/thai-manu-history3.htm Aircraft Production in Thailand from Aeroflight] ]

The Fantrainer is also a popular subject for radio-controlled model aircraft.

Versions

;AWI-2: First prototype.;ATI-2: Second prototype.;Fantrainer 400: Stretched fuselage version with metal wings, powered by a 313-kW (420-hp) Allison 250-C20B turboshaft engine.;Fantrainer 600: Improved version, powered by a 485-kW (650-hp) Allison 250-C30 turboshaft engine.;Fantrainer 800: Upgraded version.

Operators

*
** Royal Thai Air Force

pecifications (Fantrainer)

aircraft specifications/switch

plane or copter?=plane
jet or prop?=prop

ref=Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide [cite book|title=Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide|last=Rendall|first=David|pages=505|year=1995|id=ISBN 0-00-4709802|publisher=HarperCollinsPublishers|location=Glasgow, UK]

crew=2: student, instructor
length main=9.2 m
length alt=30 ft 2 in
span main=9.7 m
span alt=31 ft 11 in
height main=3.2 m
height alt=10 ft 4 in
area main=
area alt=
empty weight main=1,114 kg
empty weight alt=2,456 lb
loaded weight main=
loaded weight alt=
useful load main=
useful load alt=
max takeoff weight main=1,800 kg
max takeoff weight alt=3,968 lb

engine (prop)=Allison 250-C30
type of prop= turboshaft
number of props=1
power main=484.5 kW
power alt=650 hp

max speed main=463 km/h
max speed alt=288 mph
max speed more=
never exceed speed main=
never exceed speed alt=
range main=2,316 km
range alt=1,250 nm
ceiling main=
ceiling alt=
climb rate main=
climb rate alt=
loading main=
loading alt=
thrust/weight=

armament=none

References

External links

* [http://www.luftfahrtmuseum.com/htmi/itf/rfbft.htm Fantrainer 600 info and specs from Virtual Aviation Museum]
* [http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?regsearch=D-EATP&distinct_entry=true Fantrainer 400 images at Airliners.net]