Nardi FN.315

The Nardi FN.315 was a single‑engine, low‑wing trainer and sport aircraft produced in Italy by the small Turin‑based firm Fratelli Nardi during the late 1930s. Designed by the Nardi brothers as a successor to the FN.305, the FN.315 first flew in 1939 and entered limited production just before the outbreak of World War II. Its airframe retained the sleek, plywood‑covered monocoque fuselage of its predecessor but incorporated a more powerful 140 hp Alfa‑Romeo 115‑cubic‑inch four‑stroke engine, delivering a top speed of roughly 210 km/h (130 mph) and a cruising range of 800 km. The aircraft featured a fixed, spatted undercarriage, dual controls, and a spacious cockpit that allowed both student and instructor to see the instrument panel clearly, making it an excellent platform for basic aerobatics and pilot instruction. Though only a few dozen were built, the FN.315 served the Regia Aeronautica as a trainer and later found a niche in civilian flying clubs after the war, where its handling qualities and low operating cost were prized. Its modest success demonstrated the capability of small Italian manufacturers to produce reliable, versatile aircraft and contributed to the post‑war revival of general aviation in Italy.

Fratelli Nardi

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