The CASA C101
" Aviojet " is the training airplane of the
Spanish Air Force. This airplane represents the
second generation of basic jet trainers. The
initial project of the C-101 goes back to the
summer of 1974. Fulfilling the terms of the
program of development in remarkably short time,
the first prototype was presented the public on
27 May 1977. In less than a year, four
prototypes were already in the air. During 1978
the newly created Ministry of Defense requested
a total of sixty units of the C-101, a number
later increased to eighty. The first C-101 of
series production flew on 08 October 1979 , and
the four first units were given officially to
the Aviation school of San Javier on 17 January
1980.
The Aviojet is
in service in Spain, Chile, Honduras and Jordan.
About 145 were delivered. The Spanish Air Force
uses the version EB, though the company has
developed other versions. Version CC is an
airplane of tactical support, able to use
different types from pumps and rockets, and the
last version the DD, is also of tactical support
with a new system of mission and avionics.
The Aviojet is the exhibitor of
the Spanish Air Force, being the airplane used
in its exhibitions by the Team Aquila "Eagle"
squadron that flies acrobatics at air shows.