The Fokker S-11 Instructor is a single engine two seater propeller aircraft designed and manufactured by the former Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker. With replacement of the Tiger Moth in mind, the Lucht Strijd Krachten ((LSK) Royal Netherlands Air Force) had taken an interest right from the beginning and it ordered 39 examples. In 1950 the first LSK aircraft entered service with the KLu (Royal Netherlands Air Force) and were placed with the Elementary Flying Training (EVO) at Woensdrecht Air Base. From 1968 the EVO operated from Gilze-Rijen Air Base, as Woensdrecht became a “sleeping” base. The S-11 was built under licence in Italy, Israel and Brazil in large numbers. In addition, Fokker developed a version with a nosewheel, the S-12, but the air force showed no interest. September 1973 brought a definitive end to S-11 service with the KLu, which also meant a farewell to the last propeller-driven aircraft!
Developing nation: Netherlands.
Manufacturer/designer: Fokker, The S-11 was also produced in Brazil by a Fokker subsidiary
Production line: Schiphol.
Type aircraft: Trainer.
First flight: 18 December 1947 PH-NBE.
State: retired.
Operators
- Brazil – Brazilian Air Force operated 100 aircraft in the 1960s.
- Bolivia – Bolivian Air Force operated 8 aircraft (former Brazilian Air Force) in the 1970s.
- Israel – Israeli Air Force operated 41 aircraft from 1951 to 1957.
- Italy – Aeronautica Militare 180 aircraft as Macchi M.416
- Netherlands – Royal Netherlands Air Force – Royal Netherlands Navy – Dutch Naval Aviation Service 39 aircraft.
- Paraguay – Paraguayan Air Arm operated 8 aircraft (former Brazilian Air Force) from 1972 to 1978.
General characteristics
- Crew: two/three
- Length: 8.18 m (26 ft 8 in)
- Wingspan: 11.0 m (36 ft 1 in)
- Height: 2.22 m (7 ft 5 in)
- Wing area: 18.5 m² (199 ft²)
- Empty weight: 810 kg (1,784 lb)
- Loaded weight: 1,100 kg (2,426 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-435A, 142 kW (190 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 209 km/h (113 knots, 130 mph)
- Cruise speed: 164 km/h (89 knots, 102 mph)
- Range: 628 km (339 nmi, 390 mi)
- Service ceiling: 3,850 m (12,600 ft)
- Climb to 1,000 m (3,300 ft): 5.6 min
All pictures courtesy of Zijde Aviation Photo and Publishing, Rob Vogelaar