KM-2

The KM‑2 is a light, single‑engine trainer and touring aircraft produced by Subaru Corporation, originally developed in the early 1970s as a modern successor to the company's earlier experimental designs. After Subaru entered the aviation market following its successful foray into automotive engineering, the KM‑2 project was launched in 1972 with the aim of providing a reliable, low‑cost platform for flight schools and private pilots. Its airframe combines a welded steel tube fuselage with an aluminum skin, while the wings employ a cantilever design and flaps for improved low‑speed handling. Powered by a 180 hp Lycoming O‑360 engine, the KM‑2 delivers a cruising speed of roughly 200 km/h and a range of 900 km, making it suitable for both training sorties and cross‑country trips. The cockpit features side‑by‑side seating, dual controls, and a glass‑pane instrument panel that was advanced for its era. The aircraft’s rugged construction, modest operating costs, and straightforward maintenance have earned it a reputation for durability in flight clubs across Japan and Southeast Asia. Though production ceased in the early 1990s, the KM‑2 remains an influential example of how automotive technology can be adapted to create dependable general‑aviation aircraft.

Subaru Corporation

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