Fouga - Aviation
CM 175 Zephyr
The CM 175 Zephyr, produced by the French firm Fouga‑Aviation in the early 1960s, was conceived as a lightweight, high‑performance trainer and liaison aircraft for both military and civil customers. Development began in 1959 when Fouga sought to replace its older CM 170 series with a more modern airframe that could incorporate advances in aerodynamics and a more powerful engine. First flight took place on 12 March 1961 and serial production started the following year, delivering a total of 124 units to air forces in France, Belgium, and several African nations.
Key features of the Zephyr include a low‑wing, all‑metal construction, a retractable tricycle landing gear, and a 750‑horsepower Turbomeca Astazou X turbo‑shaft engine driving a three‑blade propeller. The cockpit is equipped with dual controls, a bubble canopy for excellent visibility, and instrumentation that mirrored jet trainers, easing pilot transition to faster aircraft. Its high cruise speed of 350 km/h and a range of 1,200 km made it suitable for liaison duties as well as basic flight training.
The CM 175 Zephyr’s significance lies in its role as a bridge between piston‑engine trainers and jet platforms, demonstrating Fouga’s ability to adapt conventional designs to emerging turboprop technology and influencing later trainer concepts.
Key features of the Zephyr include a low‑wing, all‑metal construction, a retractable tricycle landing gear, and a 750‑horsepower Turbomeca Astazou X turbo‑shaft engine driving a three‑blade propeller. The cockpit is equipped with dual controls, a bubble canopy for excellent visibility, and instrumentation that mirrored jet trainers, easing pilot transition to faster aircraft. Its high cruise speed of 350 km/h and a range of 1,200 km made it suitable for liaison duties as well as basic flight training.
The CM 175 Zephyr’s significance lies in its role as a bridge between piston‑engine trainers and jet platforms, demonstrating Fouga’s ability to adapt conventional designs to emerging turboprop technology and influencing later trainer concepts.
