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Slingsby T67 Firefly

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Slingsby Aviation
Company typeAircraft manufacturer
IndustryAerospace
PredecessorFournier (for RF-6B rights)
FateAcquired rights for RF-6B in 1981
Headquarters
Kirkbymoorside
,
England, United Kingdom
Area served
Worldwide (military and civilian operators)
ProductsAircraft, including Slingsby T67 Firefly aerobatic trainer

The Slingsby T67 Firefly, initially known as the Fournier RF-6, is a tandem two-seat aerobatic trainer developed by Slingsby Aviation based in Kirkbymoorside, Yorkshire, England.

Manufactured from 1974 through 1995, the production exceeded 250 aircraft. It has seen service with multiple military organizations, including the Royal Jordanian Air Force, Belize Defence Force Air Wing, and Bahrain Air Force, alongside civilian operators.

During the mid-1990s, the Firefly became infamous in the United States following three fatal crashes during US Air Force pilot training. Its challenging spin recovery traits were linked to at least 36 deadly accidents. The aircraft’s propensity to enter abrupt, disorienting snap rolls and nose-down spins complicated recovery efforts, particularly for novice aviators. These flight characteristics contributed to a safety record marked by more than 14% of the fleet being lost in fatal incidents.

Development

The RF-6, created by , had its maiden flight on 12 March 1974. Constructed entirely from wood and equipped with a high aspect-ratio wing derived from earlier motorglider designs, it was produced at Fournier’s facility in Nitray near Tours. Approximately 40 units were built before financial difficulties halted production. A four-seat variant, the RF-6C by , encountered stability problems and underwent extensive redesign, resulting in the Sportavia-Pützer RS 180 Sportsman.

In 1981, Fournier transferred the rights for the RF-6B to Slingsby Aviation, which renamed it the T67. Initial T67A models closely resembled the original design but soon incorporated composite materials. Slingsby introduced multiple variants with more powerful engines aimed at military pilot training. The T67M featured enhancements such as a constant-speed propeller and systems for inverted fuel and oil flow. The total output surpassed 250 units, predominantly T67M260 and T-3A models.

Operational history

The United States Air Force was the largest operator, assigning the designation T-3A Firefly. Chosen in 1992 to replace the T-41 in the Enhanced Flight Screening Program (EFSP), 113 aircraft were delivered between 1993 and 1995 to Hondo Municipal Airport and the U.S. Air Force Academy. Designed to fulfill EFSP criteria including aerobatics, the T-3A was grounded in July 1997 following uncommanded engine failures and three fatal Class A accidents involving cadets and instructors. The USAF ceased training non-flying personnel with this type and retired the fleet by 2006.

The Royal Air Force operated 22 Slingsby T67M260 trainers from 1995 until 2010, accumulating over 100,000 flight hours at RAF Barkston Heath and RAF Church Fenton. These aircraft supported training for Army, Navy, Royal Marines, RAF, and international students.

Additional users comprised the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force and the Royal Jordanian Air Force, which continues to operate this model.

Within the United Kingdom, the Firefly was employed for fundamental aerobatic instruction throughout the 2000s. In December 2012, Cranfield University's National Flying Laboratory Centre procured a T67M260 to augment MSc student flight training alongside its existing Scottish Aviation Bulldog. As of 2019, the Firefly remains active in UPRT programs.

Variants

RF-6B
The primary production model by Fournier, equipped with a Rolls-Royce-manufactured Continental O-200 engine; 43 units completed.
RF-6B/120
A single example of the RF-6B powered by a Lycoming O-235 engine.
RF-6C
Sportavia's four-seat adaptation of the RF-6B, fitted with a Lycoming O-320 engine; four aircraft built. This model served as the foundation for the Sportavia RS-180.
T67A
Constructed by Slingsby, this RF-6B/120 variant was certified in 1981. It features wooden airframe construction, an O-235 118hp engine, a two-blade fixed-pitch propeller, firewall-mounted fuel tank, and a single-piece canopy. Ten units were produced.
T67M Firefly
First flown in 1982 and certified in 1983, this military trainer is made from glass-reinforced plastic and powered by a fuel-injected Lycoming AEIO320-D1B engine coupled with a two-blade constant-speed propeller. Its inverted fuel and oil systems allow for sustained negative-G aerobatics (though inverted spins are prohibited). A total of 32 were manufactured, including the T67M MkII.
T67B
This glassfibre reinforced plastic version of the T67A first flew in 1981 and received certification in 1984. It retained the O-235 118hp engine, two-blade fixed propeller, firewall fuel tank, and single-piece canopy but did not include engine or propeller upgrades. Fourteen units were built.
T67M MkII Firefly
Certified in 1985, this variant features a fuel-injected AEIO-320 engine delivering 160hp, a two-blade constant-speed propeller, and inverted fuel and oil systems. Modifications include a two-piece canopy and dual wing-mounted fuel tanks replacing the previous single fuselage tank.
T67M200 Firefly
Achieving certification in 1987, this model was upgraded with a Lycoming AEIO360-A1E engine paired with a three-bladed Hoffman propeller and retained inverted fuel and oil systems. Twenty-six aircraft were produced.
T67C Firefly
Certified in 1987 as the final civilian version derived from the T67B, it incorporated an enhanced Lycoming O-320 engine but lacked fuel injection and inverted-flight capabilities. Equipped with a two-blade constant-speed propeller, later subvariants introduced a two-piece canopy (T67C-2) and wing tanks (T67C-3/T67D). A total of 28 were made.
T67M260 Firefly
This model received certification in 1993 and is powered by a six-cylinder Lycoming AEIO540-D4A5 engine with a three-blade constant-speed propeller. Designed for solo operation from the right seat to familiarize pilots with left-hand throttles common in military aircraft, 51 units were produced. It saw extensive use for pilot training within the RAF, Royal Navy, British Army, and Commonwealth forces until late 2010.
T67M260-T3A Firefly
Also certified in 1993, this final military variant included air conditioning. The entire production run of 114 aircraft was acquired by the United States Air Force under the designation T-3A. Although media reports linked it to four fatal incidents, investigations found no mechanical defects; causes were attributed to pilot proficiency and environmental conditions. The fleet was grounded in 1997 and subsequently destroyed in 2006.
CT-111 Firefly
The Canadian Forces' internal designation for aircraft registered as civilian models.

Military operators

Former military operators

  • Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, and British Army used the Firefly as their basic training aircraft until spring 2010 when it was succeeded by the Grob Tutor. These aircraft were managed under a "Contractor Owned Contractor Operated" (CoCo) arrangement.

Civil Operators

/
New Zealand
Spain
  • FTEJerez – uses a single T67M Mk.II to deliver upset recovery training to its graduates
Turkey
United Kingdom
  • Swift Aircraft acquired 22 ex-RAF T67-M260 aircraft from Babcock Defence Services in June 2011, offering them for sale or lease
  • Cranfield University operates one T67 to introduce aerospace engineers to flight
  • Leading Edge Aviation uses one former Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force T67 for advanced upset prevention and recovery training (A-UPRT)
  • Ultimate High maintains three T67-M260 aircraft dedicated to UPRT, formation flying instruction, and experience flights
  • Cubair Flight Training has access to one T67M Mk.II utilized for aerobatic certification and instrument flight training
  • CRM Aviation operates six T67M Mk.II aircraft specifically for formation flying courses
  • Flight Performance Training employs three T67M Mk.II planes to conduct UPRT sessions
  • Skyborne Airline Academy utilizes a single T67-M200 (registration G-SAUP) for UPRT training at their Gloucestershire facility

References

  • Hoyle, Craig. "World Air Forces Directory". Flight International, Vol. 180, No. 5231, 13–19 December 2011, pp. 26–52.


External links

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