Aircrafttotal Encyclopedia


General information
Type	Primary trainer
Manufacturer	Saab AB
Designer	Malmö Flygindustri
Status	Active
Primary users	Danish Air Force Royal Norwegian Air Force Pakistan Air Force
Number built	462
History
Manufactured	1971–1979
Introduction date	1972
First flight	26 February 1971
Developed from	Malmö MFI-9 Junior
Variants	PAC MFI-17 Mushshak

Saab MFI-15 Safari, also known as the Saab MFI-17 Supporter, is a propeller-powered basic trainer aircraft used by several air forces.

Development and design
On 11 July 1969 Saab flew the prototype (SE-301) of a two/three-seat civil/military trainer or general utility aircraft allocated the designation Saab-MFI 15. Developed at Malmö Flygindustri, it was powered by a 119 kW Avco Lycoming IO-320-B2 flat-four engine and with a conventional low-set tailplane. The latter was later modified to a T-tail configuration to minimise damage when operating from rough airfields.

Of the 250 fully assembled aircraft built by Saab, the majority were bought by private fliers. Including the 212 Pakistani CKD or locally built aircraft, a total of 462 versions of the Safari were produced. The Royal Norwegian Air Force purchased their Safaris in 1981. Today 16 of the aircraft are stationed at Bardufoss Air Station. A variant with a stretched wing made of composite materials, the MFI-18, was tested during the 1980s in Sweden. Also fitted with provision for skis, this version never went into production. The supporter was also used as a highly efficient COIN aircraft, Experience with the earlier MFI 9B Minicom during the Biafran Civil War encouraged Saab to develop the Supporter as a close support aircraft carrying an assortment of underwing stores including rockets and gun pods...

Saab AB Svenska Aeroplan

Saab AB Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget
Saab MFI-15 Safari "Mushshak" Manufactured 1971–1979

General Info

Crew: 2 (pilot and student)
Capacity: 1 passenger
Length: 7.00 m (23 ft 0 in)
Wingspan: 8.85 m (29 ft 0 in)
Height: 2.60 m (8 ft 6 in)

Powerplant

Empty weight: 646 kg (1,424 lb) Gross weight: 1,200 kg (2,646 lb) Fuel capacity: 190 L Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 air-cooled flat-four piston engine, 150 kW (200 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed: 236 km/h
Cruise speed: 208 km/h
Stall speed: 107 km/h (66 mph, 58 kn) flaps down, power off
Never exceed speed: 365 km/h
Endurance: 5 hr 10 min
Service ceiling: 4,100 m

Related development

Special Links Saab AB Svenska Aeroplan

Links to Youtube & Others

The SAAB MFI-15 Safari, otherwise known as the SAAB MFI-17 Supporter first flew during 1969 with a conventional low-set tailplane. In 1971 a new prototype flew with a more powerful engine with a high T-tail which allowed the aircraft to safely operate from rough airstrips.

Saab MFI-15/MFI-17
Safari "Mushshak"

The Royal Norwegian Air Force ordered 16 examples n 1981 as a primary trainer.

Youtube Link

In August 1978 Saab flew a version of the Safari with a 157kW Continental flat-six turbocharged engine; designated Safari TS it did not progress beyond the prototype stage.

Saab AB Svenska Aeroplan Saab MFI-15 Safari "Mushshak"
Manufactured 1971–1979

Saab MFI-15
Safari "Mushshak"

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History Saab AB (originally Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget
Saab MFI-15 Safari "Mushshak" Manufactured 1971–1979

Variants

Operators

MFI-17 Supporter

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Photo Gallery
Saab AB originally Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget
Saab MFI-15 Safari "Mushshak"
Manufactured 1971–1979