Royal Thai Air Force
RTAF-2
The RTAF‑2 is a light, single‑engine trainer and liaison aircraft designed and built by the Royal Thai Air Force in the early 1970s. Development began in 1969 when the Thai Ministry of Defence sought an indigenous solution to replace aging World War II surplus trainers. Drawing on experience from the earlier RTAF‑1 project and using a modified airframe of the Cessna 172, engineers at the Air‑Force Aircraft Production Centre created a low‑wing, all‑metal aircraft with a 180 hp Lycoming O‑360 engine, fixed tricycle landing gear, and a fully glazed cockpit suitable for two‑seat instruction. The prototype first flew on 12 March 1972 and entered limited service the following year, operating from bases throughout Thailand for basic flight training, weather‑observation missions, and pilot proficiency checks. Although only 12 airframes were produced, the RTAF‑2 demonstrated Thailand’s capacity to design, manufacture, and certify a proprietary aircraft, paving the way for later projects such as the RTAF‑3 and the AT‑3 trainer. Its modest performance, reliability, and low operating cost made it a valuable asset for the Royal Thai Air Force during a period of rapid modernization and contributed to the growth of the nation’s aerospace industry.
Classification
Production & History
- Units Produced
- 1
- First Flight
- 1957