Fairchild T-46
| T-46 "Eaglet" | |
|---|---|
| |
| A T-46 out of Edwards AFB | |
| Role | Jet trainer aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Fairchild Aircraft |
| First flight | October 15 1985 |
| Primary user | United States Air Force |
| Number built | 3 |
The Fairchild T-46 (nicknamed the "Eaglet") was an American light jet trainer aircraft of the 1980s. It was cancelled in 1986 with only three aircraft being produced.
Design and development
In order to validate the proposed aircraft's design, and to explore its flight handling characteristics, Fairchild Republic contracted with Ames Industries of Bohemia, New York to build a flyable 62% scale version. Burt Rutan's Rutan Aircraft Factory (RAF) in Mojave, California was contracted to perform the flight test evaluations, with test pilot Dick Rutan doing the flying. The scale version was known at RAF as the Model 73 NGT.
The plane was the winner of the US Air Force's competition to build the Next Generation Trainer (NGT) program to replace the Cessna T-37 Tweet. The aircraft first flew on October 15 1985, but was cancelled a little more than a year later, for reasons that largely remain controversial. The T-46 was the last project of the Fairchild Republic Corporation, and after the program termination Fairchild had no more income. Without any new contracts and the NGT program cancelled, the company closed the Republic factory in Farmingdale, New York, bringing 60 years of Fairchild aircraft manufacturing to an end.
The aircraft itself featured a side by side configuration, a twin (or "H") tail (similar to the company's A-10), ejection seats, pressurization, and two turbofan engines. Had it gone into full production the NGT program called for over 600 aircraft being built up to 1993. There was potential for some overseas sales as well, such as in the light ground attack role in addition to its role as a trainer.
Operators
Aircraft of display
- 84-0492 can be seen at the Air Force Flight Test Center Museum at Edwards Air Force Base, California.
- 84-0493 under restoration at the National Museum of the United States Air Force
Specifications (T-46)
General characteristics
- Crew: two; trainer, student
- Aspect ratio: 9.3
- Internal fuel capacity: 1,258 lb (572 kg)
Performance
- Thrust/weight: 0.39
- Take-off distance: 1,102 ft (366 m)
- Landing distance: 1,125 ft (343 m)
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
External links
