Fairchild T-46
Fairchild · United States · first flew 1985 · light aircraft
The Fairchild T-46 Eaglet was a twin-turbofan primary jet trainer designed to replace the Cessna T-37 Tweet with the US Air Force, featuring side-by-side seating and an unusual H-tail configuration. Despite flying in 1985, the programme was cancelled in 1987 after cost overruns and only three aircraft completed.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbofan, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Twin turbofan pods mounted close alongside the fuselage under a high straight wing |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin turbofan pods mounted close alongside the fuselage under a high straight wing
- H-tail (twin-fin twin-boom) empennage arrangement
- Side-by-side seating under a large one-piece canopy
The high straight wing, twin Garrett turbofan pods hugging the fuselage sides, and distinctive H-tail make the T-46 instantly recognisable. The side-by-side cockpit with a wide one-piece canopy gives it a broad frontal profile unlike most tandem trainers.
Specifications
- The Fairchild T-46 has a length of 8.99 m (29 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.76 m (39 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 796 km/h (495 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 (side by side).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Fairchild won the USAF Next Generation Trainer competition in 1982 with the T-46A design. Cost growth and Fairchild's deteriorating financial position led the Air Force to suspend and ultimately cancel the contract in 1987, at which point only three prototypes had flown. The Air Force returned to the T-37 and eventually replaced it with the Boeing T-7A Red Hawk decades later.
Variants
Only the T-46A prototype was built; the planned T-46B enhanced version never progressed beyond paper.
Where you'll see it
Never entered operational service; all three aircraft went to museums or storage after programme cancellation.
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