PAC CT/4 Airtrainer

The PAC CT / 4 Airtrainer is a two-seat trainer aircraft of the New Zealand manufacturer Pacific Aerospace.

History and construction

PAC predecessor Aero Engine Services Ltd. conducted the CT / 4 from the previous four-seater prototype Victa / AESL AirCruiser from even an evolution of the Victa / AESL Airtourer whose production began in the 1960s in Australia and was then laid over Tasmania to New Zealand 87 copies were manufactured in Hamilton in the 1970s.

The CT / 4 is a two-seat single-engine Airtrainer Ganzmetalleindecker with retractable landing gear or not. Externally, the CT / 4 differs from the Airtourer and AirCruiser mainly by its larger engine and the cockpit canopy.

The CT / 4 prototype ZK- DGY first flew on 23 February 1972. Two prototypes were built at this time went first order for 24 copies of the Thai air force AESL New Zealand Aerospace Industries Ltd.der one. This type was then selected by the Royal Australian Air Force as a beginner trainer aircraft. From the 62 machine, the first CT/4B was delivered with detail improvements, especially in the instrumentation. The CT/4B was ordered by the Royal New Zealand Air Force ( 19) and the Rodesischen Air Force ( 14). The Rhodesian aircraft were however not delivered due to the embargo imposed and were now six years into storage before they were purchased by the Royal Australian Air Force. This caused financial difficulties for the manufacturers who now bore the name of Pacific Aerospace after reorganization and relaunch.

Although for several years the production was set to a lucrative U.S. Air Force tender two new CT / 4 cells were in 1991, in an attempt to win, manufactures, the CT/4D turboprop and CT/4E with a 300 hp piston engine, a 3-blade propeller and 100 mm longer fuselage, and shifted to the rear wing beginning. At the time carried back orders so that PAC 1998, production of CT/4E for the Royal New Zealand Air Force ( 13) and Royal Thai Air Force ( 16) resumed.

Variants

  • CT/4A: Powered by a 210 hp Continental piston engine produced 78
  • CT/4B: Powered by a built 210 hp or 225 hp Continental piston engine, 38
  • CT/4C: Turboprop variant for this purpose was a CT/4B the RNZAF rebuilt, 1 prototype - built back later
  • CT/4D: (also called CT/4CR ) Propose a version with retractable landing gear, that's never flown
  • CT/4E: Powered by a 300 hp Lycoming engine driving a three-blade propeller, the CT/4E was developed to participate in a USAF tender, although the tender was not won, ordered both the RTAF, RNZAF and Singapore machines. It is to the current production model.
  • CT/4F: This version was offered for a RAAF tender with a 300 hp engine, which was also in conjunction with Raytheon Australia glass cockpit avionics, as it is also used in the Beechcraft T-6 installed. In addition, suspension points were installed under the wings, air conditioning and moved the center of gravity to the rear. A prototype was built.
  • CT/4G: one based on the CT/4E aircraft with a Garmin G1000 glass cockpit.

Military use

  • Australia Australia
  • Israel Israel: 1 Machine
  • New Zealand New Zealand
  • Rhodesia Rhodesia: Machines ordered were not delivered due to the embargo
  • Thailand Thailand
  • Singapore Singapore

Specifications

Victa Aircruiser Hamilton, New Zealand Continental Motors Company Beechcraft T-6 Texan II
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