About the FOUGA CM 170 MAGISTER
The Fouga CM.170 Magister is a significant aircraft in the realm of general aviation and military training. It originated in post-World War II France, designed by Pierre Mauboussin and Robert Castello, employees of the French aircraft manufacturer Fouga. The aircraft was conceived in the early 1950s as a jet trainer for the French Air Force, intending to provide effective training for pilots transitioning to jet-powered aircraft from their piston-engine counterparts. The prototype first took to the skies on July 23, 1952, heralding a new era in military aviation training with its innovative design and capabilities.
One of the distinctive features of the Fouga CM.170 Magister is its tandem cockpit design, which allows an instructor and trainee to sit one behind the other, providing an excellent training environment. It's powered by two Turbomeca Marboré turbojet engines, which provided reliable performance and sufficient power for various training maneuvers. The aircraft's V-tail, another unique aspect of its design, contributed to its agility and distinctive appearance.
Key Features and Capabilities
Production of the CM.170 began in 1952 and continued until 1967, with over 1,000 units built. Besides its service in the French Air Force, the Magister saw widespread use internationally. It was exported to several countries and license-built in Western Germany, Finland, and Israel. The Magister was also used in aerobatic displays, including those performed by the Patrouille de France, the French Air Force's precision aerobatic demonstration team, showcasing its performance capabilities.
The niche that the Fouga CM.170 Magister served was that of a basic jet trainer, bridging the gap between elementary flight training in propeller-driven aircraft and advanced training in high-performance jets. Its reliability, ease of maintenance, and excellent handling characteristics made it a favorite among training aircraft. Even decades after its production ended, the Magister remains an iconic aircraft, remembered for its role in training generations of military pilots and its contribution to aviation history.