MFI 395 Super Mushshak

Infobox Aircraft
name=Super Mushshak


caption=
type=Trainer
national origin=Pakistan
manufacturer=Pakistan Aeronautical Complex
designer=
first flight=
introduced=
retired=
status=
primary user=Pakistan Air Force
more users=
produced=
number built=
developed from=MFI-17 Mushshak
variants with their own articles=

Super Mushshak -- the Agile -- is an upgraded version of the MFI-17 Mushshak and manufactured at the Aircraft Manufacturing Factory, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra, Pakistan. The Super Mushshak is fitted with a more powerful 260 hp engine, cockpit air-conditioning, electrical instruments, and electric/manual elevator and rudder trim. The aircraft has been developed to meet FAR part 23 certification in categories normal, utility and aerobatics. It has a spacious side by side cockpit giving good contact between the pilot and the co-pilot/observer or between the student and the instructor. The Super Mushshak meets the requirements of a modern primary training syllabus and is an ideal basic trainer for basic flight training and instrument flying.

History

The MFI-15 Safari and MFI-17 Supporter were created from Saab's adaptation of the MFI-9 Junior for basic training for civil and military operators. In 1968 Saab began work on its MFI-15, based on the MFI-9 but with some design changes. Foremost of the changes in the Saab built MFI-15 prototype was the 120kW (160shp) Lycoming IO-320 piston engine. Like the MFI-9, the MFI-15 retained the unusual braced, mid mounted and slightly forward swept wing and rearward hinging canopy, offering good all-around vision. The prototype made its maiden flight on June 11 1969. Follow-up testing of the MFI-15 resulted in a more powerful IO-360 engine, while the horizontal tail was relocated to prevent it being damaged by thrown up debris. The first flight of this modified form was in February 1971.

Sold as the MFI-15 Safari, most went to civil coustomers, however Sierra Leone and Norway took delivery of Safaris for military pilot training. To improve the Safari's military market appeal, Saab developed the MFI-17 Supporter, fitted with six underwing hardpoints for light and practice weaponry, giving it weapons training and light COIN capabilities. First flight was on July 6 1972. Important were Denmark and Zambia. Production ended in the late 1970s after about 250 Safaris and Supporters had been built, mostly for civil customers.

Pakistan has taken delivery of 18 Supporters, while 92 have been assembled locally by PAC from knocked down kits and a further 149 were built locally by PAC. It is named Mushshak (Proficient) in Pakistani service. In 1981, Pakistan acquired sole manufacturing rights of the Supporter. The super Mushshak was developed from the MFI-17 after manufacturing rights were acquired.

References

[http://www.pac.org.pk/amfsite-final/supermushshak.html] "Pakistan Aeronautical Complex"
[http://babriet.tripod.com/airforce/stat/statmushshak.htm] "Pakistani Aircraft's"