The PAC MFI-17 Mushshak (Urdu: مشاق, lit.'Proficient') is a license-built fixed-gear basic trainer aircraft manufactured by PAC. An improved version of the Saab Safari (MFI-15), the MFI-17 is manufactured in Kamra, Pakistan, by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC). Built to Mil-Spec and fully aerobatic, it is priced between 6-7 million pkr. It is used for training, towing and other ground support roles. An upgraded version, the PAC Super Mushshak, has also been produced by PAC.
As of 2022, there were 477 MFI-15/17/395 in use, making it one of the most commonly used training aircraft in the world.[1]
Development
PAC Super Mushshak at Dubai Airshow, 2017PAC Super Mushshak cockpit at Dubai Airshow, 2017
The MFI-15 Safari and MFI-17 Supporter were created from Saab's adaptation of the MFI-9 Junior for basic training for civil and military operators.
In 1968 Saab began work on its MFI-15, based on the MFI-9 but with some design changes. Foremost of the changes in the Saab built MFI-15 prototype was the 120 kW (160shp) Lycoming IO-320 piston engine. Like the MFI-9, the MFI-15 retained the unusual braced, mid-mounted and slightly forward-swept wing and rearward-hinged canopy, offering good all-around vision. The prototype made its maiden flight on June 11, 1969. Follow-up testing of the MFI-15 resulted in a more powerful IO-360 engine, while the horizontal tail was relocated to prevent it being damaged by thrown up debris. The first flight of this modified form was in February 1971.
Sold as the MFI-15 Safari, most went to civil customers, however Sierra Leone and Norway took delivery of Safaris for military pilot training. To improve the Safari's military market appeal, Saab developed the MFI-17 Supporter, fitted with six underwing hardpoints for light and practice weaponry, giving it weapons training and light COIN capabilities. First flight was on July 6, 1972. Important were Denmark and Zambia. Production ended in the late 1970s after about 250 Safaris and Supporters had been built, mostly for civil customers.
Pakistan has taken delivery of 18 Supporters, while 92 have been assembled locally by PAC from knocked down kits and a further 149 were built locally by PAC. It is named Mushshak ("Proficient") in Pakistani service. In 1981, Pakistan acquired sole manufacturing rights to the Supporter. The development of the MFI-395 in 1995 was initiated by the then-managing director of AMF, Air Cdr Muhammad Younas. The aircraft was built by upgrading the MFI-17 with an advanced 260 hp engine, electrical instruments, dual flight control systems and a Bendix RSA fuel injection system.
As of 2022, there were 477 MFI-15/17/395 in use, making it one of the most commonly used training aircraft in the world.[1]
Design
Fitted with an American 260 hp engine, cockpit air conditioning, electrical instruments, and electric/manual elevator and rudder trim, the aircraft has been developed to meet FAR part 23 certification in normal, utility and aerobatics categories. It has a spacious side-by-side cockpit allowing good contact between the pilot and the co-pilot/observer or between the student and the instructor.
Iraqi Air Force - 12 MFI-395 Super Mushshak delivered (additional 12 on order). 2nd batch of two aircraft delivered on 19 April 2023 to 202nd Training Squadron at Balad Air Base, Iraq.[8]
Nigerian Air Force – 10 delivered as of January 2018.[9] Nigeria temporarily operated four Pakistani Air Force Super Mushshaks for early training.[10] The contract included the deployment of Pakistani pilots and technicians to assist the Nigerians.[11]
The aircraft has been involved in a few notable crashes:
2012: In April, a Mushaq Plane with a major and a captain on board was on its routine training flight when it crashed due to some technical fault in Gujranwala, a district in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province.[23]
2016: In February, another Mushaq trainer crashed during a routine training flight near Gujranwala in the eastern Punjab province, killing the instructor and trainee who were on board.[24][25]
2020: In April, a Mushaq crashed during a routine training mission near Gujrat. Major Umer, an instructor pilot, and Lieutenant Faizan, a student pilot, were killed during the crash.[26][27]
2024: A Mushaq trainer aircraft that took off from Risalpur Asghar Khan Academy developed a technical glitch and crash landed somewhere in Nowshera. Both the pilot and co-pilot survived.[28]
Specifications (MFI-17 Mushshak)
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988–89,[29] Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1993–94,[30] Pakistan Aeronautical Complex,[31] Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004[32]
^Jackson, Paul, ed. (2003). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2003–04 (94th ed.). Coulsdon, Surrey, United Kingdom: Jane's Information Group. pp. 325–326. ISBN0-7106-2537-5.
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