Albatros
Albatros Al 101
The Albatros Al 101 was a German two‑seat trainer designed and built by the Albatros Flugzeugwerke in the early 1930s as the company’s response to the growing demand for modern, low‑wing monoplanes to replace aging biplane schools. First flown in 1932, the aircraft combined a mixed construction of a steel‑tube fuselage, wooden wings and fabric covering, yielding a lightweight yet robust airframe. Power came from a 120 hp Siemens‑Halske Sh 12 radial engine, delivering reliable performance at a maximum speed of about 170 km/h and a service ceiling of 4 500 m, while its fixed, split‑type landing gear simplified maintenance for flying clubs and military schools alike.
Key features included dual controls, a wide cockpit canopy that offered excellent visibility for both instructor and pupil, and a simple, fold‑able wing structure that eased storage in cramped hangars. The Al 101’s handling was praised for being forgiving at low speeds and responsive during aerobatic maneuvers, making it an effective platform for primary flight training and advanced maneuvers.
In the broader context of aviation history, the Al 101 marked Albatros’s successful transition from World‑War‑I fighter production to civilian and military training aircraft, helping to modernise pilot instruction in Germany and influencing later designs such as the Focke‑Wulf Fw 44. Its modest production run nonetheless left a lasting imprint on interwar German aeronautical development.
Key features included dual controls, a wide cockpit canopy that offered excellent visibility for both instructor and pupil, and a simple, fold‑able wing structure that eased storage in cramped hangars. The Al 101’s handling was praised for being forgiving at low speeds and responsive during aerobatic maneuvers, making it an effective platform for primary flight training and advanced maneuvers.
In the broader context of aviation history, the Al 101 marked Albatros’s successful transition from World‑War‑I fighter production to civilian and military training aircraft, helping to modernise pilot instruction in Germany and influencing later designs such as the Focke‑Wulf Fw 44. Its modest production run nonetheless left a lasting imprint on interwar German aeronautical development.
