Where was the C-101 tested at low and high speed?

Short answer

The low-speed tests were done in tunnel No. 1 of the National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA) "Esteban Terradas," using a 1/7 scale model. The high-speed tests were done in the supersonic tunnel of the Royal Aircraft Establishment in Bedford, England.

Published: November 1, 2026 · Updated: November 1, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

Where was the C-101 tested at low and high speed?

CASA C-101 of the Patrulla Águila and Pilatus PC-21 of the future Formación Mirlo flying together at the Aire 25 festivalRB7MRV (CC BY SA), vía commons

INTA's tunnel No. 1

With the static models already finished, the C-101's wind tunnel tests were staggered across several stages. The first was carried out in tunnel No. 1 of the National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA) "Esteban Terradas." There the low-speed tests were completed, using a 1/7 scale model.

The Bedford supersonic tunnel

Next came the high-speed tests, carried out in the supersonic tunnel of the Royal Aircraft Establishment in Bedford, England. The sequence ended in Lille, France, where the Aviojet underwent spin behavior tests with an 1/18 scale model.

Structure, hangar and flight

In Getafe numerous structural rigidity and equipment function tests were carried out, and after the refinements and corrections resulting from that work, the same plant hosted the hangar rollout of the P1 prototype, registered XE-25-01 and painted in an orange and white scheme. The flight test phase, with vibration, flutter and spin tests, did not begin until April 17, 1978. The aircraft's design emphasized simplicity and economy, forgoing high-performance features. Measured performance turned out better than the designers had anticipated.