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T-6C Texan II

Eleven T-6C Texan II aircraft are used to train our pilots during the Pilot ‘Wings’ Course, and pilot instructors during the Flying Instructor Course.

A Royal New Zealand Air Force T-6C Texan II aircraft flying with two people in the aircraft

Pilot Training aims to deliver 15–20 qualified pilots and 8–10 flying instructors annually. Two fixed base flight simulators and 12 avionics desktop trainers are used throughout pilot and instructor training.

Following completion of Wings Course, pilots will move onto either multi-engine conversion training (fixed-wing aircraft) or rotary-wing conversion training (helicopters).

On completion of the Flying Instructor Course, flying instructors will teach new pilots at No. 14 Squadron before returning to previous flying units.

The T-6C aircraft are purpose-built for military training and have the latest technology including ejection seats, collision-avoidance and ground proximity warning systems, a pressurised cockpit and an on-board oxygen generating system to provide supplementary oxygen for each pilot. The T-6C Texan II is expected to remain in service with our Royal New Zealand Air Force for 30 years.

Two Royal New Zealand Air Force T-6C Texan aircraft on a flight-line A pilot performs hand signals in the cockpit of a Royal New Zealand Air Force T-6C Texan aircraft A five ship formation of Royal New Zealand Air Force T-6C Texan aircraft on a cloudy day

Specifications

Aircraft

T-6C Texan II 

Manufacturer

Beechcraft (USA)

Power plant

1 x Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6A-68 turboprop (820kw)

Length

10.16m (33ft.4in)

Wingspan

10.19m (33ft.5in)

Propellers

4 bladed Hartzell Propeller 

Basic weight

2,390kg (5260lb)

Max weight

3,160kg (6,950lb) 

Max Fuel

1200lb

Cruising speed

515km/h (278kts) 

Max speed

586km/h (316kts)

Max range

1,667km