>> Flightline | Zéphyr CM 175
Naval elegance with jet propulsion
The CM 175 Zéphyr is a jet trainer aircraft developed in the 1950s for the French Navy. A naval derivative of the Fouga Magister, it was designed for training carrier-based fighter pilots, with specific adaptations for catapult launch and carrier landing. Elegant, sleek and with distinctive lines, the Zéphyr made its mark on naval aviation history.
An aircraft designed for the flight deck
Commissioned in 1959, the Zephyr was designed to train French Navy pilots in the particularly demanding task of landing on aircraft carriers. Equipped with structural reinforcements, a tail hook and a reinforced landing gear, it could operate from the decks of the Arromanches and Clémenceau aircraft carriers.
Its manoeuvrability, relative ease of maintenance and robustness made it an ideal machine for training future carrier-based fighter pilots. The Zéphyr was withdrawn from service in 1994 after 35 years of service.
The example presented by the Les Cocardes Marine association, registered as F-AZPF, is one of the few still in flying condition, a true ambassador of French naval aviation heritage.
Technical specifications
Type: Carrier-based jet trainer aircraft
Engines: 2 Turbomeca Marboré II jet engines
Thrust per engine: 400 kg
Maximum speed: Approximately 715 km/h
Range: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
Wingspan: 12.15 m
Length: 10.06 m
Height: 2.80 m
Empty weight: 2,250 kg
Maximum weight: 3,300 kg
Crew: 2 (student + instructor)
Aircraft type: Chasseur Operator: Cocardes Marine