RFB Fantrainer

Rhein-Flugzeugbau · Germany · first flew 1978 · light aircraft

The RFB Fantrainer was an innovative German military trainer that used a ducted fan driven by a turboshaft engine mounted in the fuselage, rather than a conventional propeller or jet exhaust. It offered jet-like handling qualities while burning less fuel than a true jet.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, straight
E — Engines	1 × turboprop, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	Ducted-fan propulsion in fuselage centre section
T — Tail	T-tail

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Ducted-fan propulsion in fuselage centre section
Tandem two-seat trainer with T-tail
Unusual mid-fuselage fan installation

Unmistakable due to the large circular duct housing the fan in the centre fuselage, straight mid-wings, T-tail, and tandem cockpit arrangement.

Specifications

The RFB Fantrainer has a length of 9.25 m (30 ft).
It has a wingspan of 9.7 m (32 ft).
Its maximum speed is 417 km/h (259 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Developed by Rhein-Flugzeugbau and first flown in 1978, the Fantrainer attracted interest as a cost-effective jet trainer substitute. The Royal Thai Air Force became the primary customer, ordering a batch in the 1980s for pilot training. The concept was sound but the aircraft did not achieve wide commercial success beyond the Thai order.

Variants

The Fantrainer 400 used a 420-shp Allison 250 engine; the Fantrainer 600 used a more powerful 650-shp version. Thailand operated both variants.

Where you'll see it

Operated by the Royal Thai Air Force as a basic and advanced trainer through the 1980s and 1990s; small numbers remain in limited use.

Related aircraft

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