Federation Trainer

Universe :	Prime Timeline
Affiliation :	Federation
Class Name :	Federation Trainer
Type :	Pilot training craft
Unit Run :	1,035 built in total. 73 have been lost in all.
Commissioned :	2351 - 2372, class remains in service
Dimensions :	Length : 11 m Beam : 10.5 m Height : 3.6 m Decks : 1
Mass :	12.45 metric tons
Crew :	1 [1], plus optional instructor
Armament :	1 x Laser cannon Laser cannon, total output 3 TeraWatts
Defence Systems :	Light Duranium Single hull. Low level Structural Integrity Field
Impulse only :	Max Impulse Speed : 0.25 x c Atmospheric Cruise (Mach) : 2,400,000 Atmospheric Max (Mach) : 2.6
Strength Indices : (Galaxy class = 1,000)	Beam Firepower : 0.06 Torpedo Firepower : - Weapon Range and Accuracy : 20 Shield Strength : - Hull Armour : 0.63 Speed : - Combat Manoeuvrability : 19,410
Overall Strength Index :	29
Diplomatic Capability :	None
Expected Hull Life :	28
Refit Cycle :	Minor : 0 year Standard : 0 years Major : 4 years

Notes

This design is employed by Starfleet academy in order to train cadets in basic piloting [1] and engineering skills. Starfleet requested a simple design which trainees could maintain themselves; hence the trainer has a simple fusion reactor system which is capable of producing up to 25 standard gees of acceleration; this is counteracted by an inertial damper field which leaves the cockpit in a weightless condition, there being no artificial gravity field. The trainer can hold an instructor in the tandem cockpit for early training flights, but cadets are expected to rapidly progress to solo flying and most missions are conducted with only the pilot.

The trainer is armed with a simple laser cannon in order to allow simulated combat to take place, but on most missions this craft will fly with that system completely deactivated. There is no ejector system, but an emergency transporter can beam the pilot to any nearby craft or facility in the event of an emergency. The reliability of these craft is such that this is rarely used; one notable exception being in 2368 when five craft were involved in a collision during close formation flying. All five ships were destroyed, but the emergency beam out system saved four of the five pilots. It later emerged that the craft had been flying in direct violation of Starfleet safety protocols and that no mechanical fault was involved.

The trainers have been employed extensively by Starfleet Academy, most notably on the Academy flight range near Saturn. [1] They are still in service in sufficient numbers that they are likely to be a common sight for decades to come.

Colour key

References

#	Series	Season	Source	Comment
1	TNG	5	The First Duty

Comments

Seen in TNG's "The First Duty", the trainer was flown by Wesley Crusher and the other members of Red Squad during their ill-fated attempt to perform a Kolvoord Starburst formation. As they are trainers I've speculated that there is an instructors seat, and that this is only used in early missions. The laser cannon is included because there is something that looks suspiciously like a weapon turret under the nose in the size chart diagram.

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Last updated : 5 Apr 2013

Series :	TNG Season 5
Episode :	The First Duty