FTB337G Milirole

The FTB337G Milirole is a single‑engine, low‑wing trainer and liaison aircraft produced by Reims Aviation in the late 1970s. Developed as a French‑licensed version of the Cessna 337 Skymaster, the Milirole incorporated a push‑pull twin‑engine layout that gave it balanced handling and redundancy without the drag penalty of conventional twin‑engine configurations. First flight took place on 12 March 1978 and a production run of 112 units was completed by 1984, primarily serving military flight schools, police aviation units, and civil clubs in Europe, Africa and South America. Its 300 hp Lycoming O‑540 powerplant delivered a top speed of 225 kt, a service ceiling of 22 000 ft, and a range exceeding 1 200 nm, while the tricycle landing gear and all‑metal airframe ensured low maintenance. The Milirole's distinctive twin‑boom tail and unobstructed forward view made it especially suitable for observation and aerobatic training. Though superseded by more modern trainers, the aircraft remains a celebrated example of Reims Aviation’s ability to blend American design with French engineering, illustrating a transitional era when European manufacturers expanded their own capabilities through licensed production and incremental innovation. Today a handful of well‑maintained examples still fly in heritage fleets, where they are prized for their reliability and classic handling characteristics.

Reims Aviation

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