Pacific Aerospace CT-4 Airtrainer
- CountryNew Zealand
- TypeTwo/three seat basic trainer
- PowerplantsCT-4A - One 155kW (210hp) Teledyne Continental IO-360-D fuel injected flat six piston engine driving a two blade constant speed propeller. CT-4B - One 155kW (210hp) IO-360-HB9. CT-4E - One 224kW (300hp) Textron Lycoming AEIO-540-L1B5 driving a three blade prop.
- PerformanceCT-4A - Max speed 285km/h (155kt), cruising speed 240km/h (130kt), long range cruising speed 235km/h (127kt). Initial rate of climb 1345ft/min. Range with max fuel at normal cruising speed 1110km (600nm). CT-4B - Max speed 267km/h (144kt), 75% power cruising speed 260km/h (140kt). Initial rate of climb 1250ft/min. Range with max fuel at normal cruising speed 1110km (600nm). CT-4E - Max speed at s/l 302km/h (163kt), cruising speed at 8500ft 282km/h (152kt). Initial rate of climb 1830ft/min. Service ceiling 18,200ft. Range at s/l with max fuel at 75% power, no reserves 963km (520nm).
- WeightsCT-4A - Empty 690kg (1520lb), max takeoff 1090kg (2400lb) or 1203kg (2650lb). CT-4B - Max takeoff 1203kg (2650lb).
- DimentionsCT-4A - Wing span 7.92m (26ft 0in), length 7.06m (23ft 2in), height 2.59m (8ft 6in). Wing area 12.0m2 (129.0sq ft). CT-4E - Same except length 7.16m (23ft 6in).
- CapacityNormally two seats side by side, with space for optional third seat or baggage behind.
- Production78 CT-4As and 38 CT-4Bs built mainly for military orders. Many (30+) ex RAAF CT-4As are now flying in civil hands mainly in Australia, some in New Zealand and the USA. 32 CT-4Es built.
Named the Plastic Parrot in Royal Australian Air Force benefit, the CT-4 Airtrainer was basically planned as a military mentor, however is additionally in constrained regular citizen utilization.
The CT-4 was created from the Australian Victa Airtourer arrangement (portrayed independently). Victa had created the four spot Aircruiser (first flight in mid 1966) focused around the Airtourer, however advancement work stopped and rather the creation rights for the Aircruiser were acquired by Aero Engine Services Ltd (or AESL) of New Zealand in 1969, which as of now had the rights to the Airtourer arrangement.
AESL rolled out various improvements to the essential Aircruiser outline, including another clamshell shade, structural fortifying for aerobatic work, and stick controls, making it suitable for military fundamental preparing. The primary such CT-4 Airtrainer flew on February 23 1972. This model was controlled by a 157kw (210hp) Teledyne Continental IO-360-D motor.
On April 1 1973 AESL fused with Air Parts (NZ) Ltd as New Zealand Aerospace Industries Ltd. Conveyance of the first generation show, the CT-4a, began in October 1973. The CT-4a contrasted from the CT-4 model in having an IO-360-H motor, a more extended cockpit shelter, a bigger dorsal blade fairing, and some different upgrades. Essential clients were the Australian, New Zealand and Thai aviation based armed forces. The CT-4b was an adaptation with some minor alterations for common certificate. Generation by New Zealand (otherwise called NZAI) proceeded until 1977.
In 1990 Pacific Aerospace Corporation (the successor to NZAI) continued generation of the CT-4b against a request from the Bae/Ansett Flying College (later Bae Flight Training) in Tamworth, Australia, giving the impulse to further advancements of the line.
A turboprop Allison 250 fueled CT-4c (a change of an ex RAAF CT-4a) flew on January 21 1991, and a retractable undercarriage form, the CT-4cr was proposed yet not fabricated. Advancement of the 225kw (300hp) IO-540 fueled CT-4e was gone for the US Air Force's Enhanced Flight Screening rivalry. Thirty two CT-4es have been fabricated, including 13 for the Royal New Zealand Air Force to supplant CT-4as (10 of which were restored and sold to British Aerospace Flight Training in Australia). Generation is proceeding.
Pictures of Pacific Aerospace CT-4 Airtrainer
