Adapting to the Jet Age in a Fouga Magister

Ride along on a Microsoft Flight Simulator journey through history in the world’s first two-seat jet trainer.

Patrick Chovanec

Monday, June 03, 2024 at 04:42 PM ET

Verified

Edited By: tccjeremy

Fouga CM.170 Magister in Microsoft Flight Simulator. [Courtesy: Patrick Chovanec]

Key Takeaways:

The Fouga CM.170 Magister was the world's first two-seat jet trainer, introduced in the 1950s, featuring an elegant, glider-inspired design with an innovative V-tail and known for its agility and ease of control.
It played a crucial role in modernizing global air forces by transitioning pilots from piston to jet aircraft and was widely exported, serving extensively as a trainer and in light attack/close air support roles in various conflicts worldwide.
Manufactured in France and under license in several countries, the Magister was adopted by numerous militaries and aerobatic teams before its eventual retirement from military service, though it remains popular with private owners.

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Today, in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, I’ll be flying the Fouga CM.170 Magister, the world’s first two-seat jet trainer. Starting in the 1950s, it played a key role in transitioning several air forces from piston to jet aircraft and also fought in a number of “brush wars.”

I’ll start the story at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (LFBO) in southern France. The French company Établissements Fouga & Cie had its aircraft production facilities here, which were eventually folded into larger companies and are now the main assembly plant for Airbus.