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, developed in France in the 1950s, which played a crucial role in helping various global air forces transition from piston to jet aircraft.
Known for its elegant glider-based design, including a distinctive V-tail and twin turbojet engines, it earned a reputation for being agile, well-behaved, and easily controlled.
While primarily a trainer, the Magister was widely exported and utilized in combat roles across numerous conflicts, notably providing close air support for Israel in the Six Day War and engaging UN forces during the Siege of Jadotville.
Though retired from military service worldwide by the late 20th century, its enduring appeal for its unique design and pleasant flight characteristics continues among private owners.

See a mistake? Contact us.

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.