Editing CASA C-101 Aviojet (section)

{{Short description|Trainer aircraft family by CASA}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{{Infobox aircraft
 |name= C-101 Aviojet
 |image= File:Spanish AF CASA C-101EB Aviojet.jpg
 |caption= Spanish Air Force C-101
 |type= Advanced [[jet trainer]] and [[Ground-attack aircraft|light attack]] aircraft
 |manufacturer= [[Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA|CASA]]
 |designer=<!-- Only appropriate for one-person designers, not project leaders or chief designers -->
 |first_flight= 27 June 1977<ref name=JAWA82-83>Taylor 1982, p. 180.</ref>
 |introduction= 17 March 1980<ref name=JAWA82-83/>
 |retired=
 |status= Operational
 |primary_user= [[Spanish Air and Space Force]]
 |more_users= [[Chilean Air Force]] <br />[[Honduran Air Force]] <br />[[Royal Jordanian Air Force]]
 |produced=
 |number_built= 166
 |unit cost=
 |developed_from =
 |variants =
}}

The '''CASA C-101 Aviojet''' is a low-wing single engine [[jet engine|jet-powered]] advanced [[trainer (aircraft)|trainer]] and [[Ground-attack aircraft|light attack]] aircraft designed and manufactured by Spanish aircraft company [[Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA]] (CASA).

The C-101 was developed in response to a [[Spanish Air Force]] requirement, which needed a replacement for the outdated [[Hispano HA-200|Hispano Saeta]]. During 1975, CASA commenced work on what would become the C-101. In addition to its own design team, technical assistance was provided by [[West German|Germany]]'s [[Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm]] (MBB) and the United States' [[Northrop Corporation|Northrop]]. In June 1977, the first of four prototypes performed the type's [[maiden flight]]. The design was somewhat reminiscent of other jet trainers of the era, such as the [[BAE Systems Hawk|BAE Hawk]] and the [[Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet|Alpha Jet]], but was less [[aerodynamics|aerodynamically]] sophisticated, being equipped with an un[[swept wing]]. Performance of the C-101 during flight testing was reported in excess of predictions.

On 17 March 1980, the first examples were introduced to operational service with the Spanish Air Force, which would be the principal customer for the C-101. The initial model possessed only a limited weapons capability, this attack capability was expanded upon later-built aircraft.<ref>Jackson 2011, p. 175.</ref> Several models were exported to overseas operators; the C-101 has been adopted by the [[Chilean Air Force]], [[Honduran Air Force]] and the [[Royal Jordanian Air Force]]. A final improved model, designated ''C-101DD'', was demonstrated but did not find customers and thus it did not enter serial production. In addition to its use as a trainer aircraft, it has been used to perform [[aerobatics]]; in the latter context, it has been flown by the ''[[Patrulla Aguila]]'' [[aerobatics]] team. As of 2019, the C-101 remains in service in the [[Spanish Air Force]] and several other countries.

Early on in the 2010s there were talks about the replacement of the C-101. Finally, in 2020 it was decided that the C-101 would be replaced by the [[Pilatus PC-21]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://defpost.com/spanish-air-force-procures-24-pilatus-pc-21-trainer-aircraft/|title=Spanish Air Force Procures 24 Pilatus PC-21 Trainer Aircraft|publisher= [[DEFPOST]]|access-date=9 November 2020}}</ref> (24) and the [[Airbus Future Jet Trainer]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aviationtoday.com/2020/10/26/airbus-looks-create-new-jet-trainer-spanish-air-force/|title=Airbus Looks to Create New Jet Trainer for Spanish Air Force|publisher= [[Aviation Today]]|access-date=9 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/10/19/airbus-pitches-new-trainer-jet-for-spain-but-with-eyes-for-europe/|title=Airbus pitches new trainer jet for Spain, but with eyes for Europe|publisher= [[DefenseNews]]|access-date=9 November 2020}}</ref> (50 - 55).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.infodefensa.com/es/2020/10/17/noticia-airbus-propone-avion-entrenador-espanol-capaz-portar-armamento.html|title=Airbus propone un avion entrenador español capaz de portar armamento|publisher= [[Infodefensa.com]]|access-date=9 November 2020}}</ref>