PAC MFI-17 Mushshak

MFI-17 Mushshak
Role	Basic training aircraft + Light Attack Aircraft
Manufacturer	Pakistan Aeronautical Complex
First flight	1981
Status	In service In production
Primary users	Pakistan Air Force Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force Royal Saudi Air Force
Produced	1981-present
Number built	200+
Developed from	Saab Safari

MFI-17 Mushshak (Urdu: مشاق) (English: Proficient) is a license-built fixed-gear basic trainer aircraft, improved version of the Saab Safari, used by the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force. It is manufactured in Kamra, Pakistan by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC). As of 2006, 80 aircraft were manufactured. Built to MIL-Spec and fully aerobatic, it is used for training, towing and other ground support roles. An upgraded version, the PAC Super Mushshak, has also been produced by PAC.

Design

Used for training undergraduate student pilots the fundamentals of aircraft handling, formation, instrument and night flying, the MFI-17 Mushshak is fitted with blind-flying instrumentation. It is propelled by a single Textron Lycoming four-cylinder engine with one twin-blade propeller. It has fixed landing gear. Also used for reconnaissance, observation and transportation purposes, there are attachment points (hardpoints) under the wings for weapons, allowing the aircraft to perform light ground attack sorties and helicopter hunter missions.

Operators

 Iran

• Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force – 25

 Iraq

• Republic of Iraq Air Force – 20

 Oman

• Royal Air Force of Oman – 8

 Pakistan

• Pakistan Air Force – 149
• Pakistan Army

 Syria

• Syrian Air Force – 6

 Saudi Arabia

• Royal Saudi Air Force – 20

 South Africa

• Uni Group Holdings (Pvt) Ltd - 5

Specifications (MFI-17 Mushshak)

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1993–94^[1]

General characteristics

• Crew: two–three, student, instructor and optional passenger
• Length: 7.00 m (22 ft 11 ¹⁄₂ in)
• Wingspan: 8.85 m (29 ft ¹⁄₂ in)
• Height: 2.60 m (8 ft 6 ¹⁄₂ in)
• Wing area: 11.90 m² (128.1 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 646 kg (1,424 lb)
• Max. takeoff weight: 1,200 kg (2,645 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Textron Lycoming IO-360-AIB6 horizontally opposed 4-cylinder, 149 kW (200 hp)
• Propellers: Hartzell HC-C2YK-4F/FC7666A-2 two-blade constant-speed metal propeller, 1 per engine
• Landing gear: fixed tricycle

Performance

• Never exceed speed: 365 km/h (197 knots, 227 mph)
• Maximum speed: 238 km/h (128 knots, 148 mph) at sea level
• Cruise speed: 210 km/h (113 knots, 130 mph)
• Stall speed: 100 km/h (54 knots, 63 mph) flaps down, power off
• Endurance: 5 hr 10 min
• Service ceiling: 4,800 m (15,750 ft)
• Rate of climb: 5.2 m/s (1,024 ft/min)

Armament

• Hardpoints: 6× under-wing, maximum external load 300 kg (660 lb) total
• Possible loads:
  • 2× 7.62 mm machine gun pods
  • 2× 75 mm unguided rocket pod (7 rounds)
  • 4× 68 mm unguided rocket pod (7 rounds)
  • 6× wire-guided anti-tank missiles (ATGMs)

See also

• Pakistan Aeronautical Complex
• Pakistan Air Force

Related development

• Saab Safari
• PAC Super Mushshak

References

1. Lambert 1993, pp. 225–226.

• Lambert, Mark. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1993–94. Coulsdon, UK:Jane's Data Division, 1993. ISBN 0-7106-1066-1.

External links

• Official PAC website – MFI-17 Mushshak webpage
• PakTribune.com PAF Training Crafts: MFI-17 Mushshak
• Airliners.net MFI-17 picture gallery
• MFI-17 factsheet at VectorSite.net
• MFI-17 Mushshak Basic Trainer Aircraft, Pakistan on airforce-technology.com