The RFB Fantrainer is a two-seat flight training aircraft which uses a mid mounted ducted fan propulsion system. It was developed by Rhein-Flugzeugbau GmbH (RFB) in Germany in the late 1970s and used by the German and Thai air forces. It won a competition in Germany beating the Pilatus PC-7 and Beechcraft Mentor as the best solution to the Luftwaffe's Basic Trainer Requirement. However, no orders were forthcoming as Germany had committed to buying US Fighters (F4 Phantom and F-104 Starfighter) which included a deal for pilot training in the USA. Lufthansa was also interested in the aircraft due to its jet-like handling. Users said it was fuel-efficient and silent and provided a true "jet feel" for a reasonable price. In conjunction with the intended new production of the Fantrainer, initia