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Post by skyhawkfan1 on Jan 28, 2014 7:12:47 GMT 12
its all in stuff etc today....personally I like the macchi style paint scheme but looks as though its black...nice planes. I saw the demo fly at Ohakea 75th anniversary air show, looked impressive.
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Post by skyhawkfan1 on Jan 28, 2014 7:13:56 GMT 12
So I wonder what the RAAF are saying about this purchase. they dont care, they have a awesome Air Force!!!! :-)
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Post by htbrst on Jan 28, 2014 7:35:23 GMT 12
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Post by Damon on Jan 28, 2014 8:35:51 GMT 12
Beechcraft Signs Contracts with Royal New Zealand Air Force for 11 T-6C Trainer Aircraft and Fully Integrated Flight Training Solution WICHITA, Kan. (Jan. 27, 2014) – Beechcraft Corporation today announced that its Defense Company has signed two contracts to provide a comprehensive pilot training system for the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). The foundation for the system is 11 Beechcraft T-6C Texan II turboprop military training aircraft. It also includes spare parts, training, logistics and maintenance support.
T-6C in RNZAF Paint Scheme Beechcraft’s Defense Company and Global Mission Support organizations partnered with Safe Air Limited and CAE as subcontractors on the two contracts. The acquisition contract includes 11 Beechcraft T-6C aircraft, two CAE operational flight training simulators, computer-based training courseware and customized RNZAF pilot training syllabi – all of which are integrated to create a comprehensive leading edge learning management system. A 30-year logistics support agreement provides turnkey support for the RNZAF flight training operations. The agreement consists of aircraft material support, full flight line and operational maintenance, as well as support and operation of the synthetic training devices.
“As the Royal New Zealand Air Force began the process of modernizing its pilot training capabilities, we were able to offer a proven, low-risk and highly capable solution that met their current and future training needs,” said Russ Bartlett, president, Beechcraft Defense Company. “With more than 825 T-6 aircraft in operation around the world, and more than 2.2 million accumulated flight hours, the aircraft has a fully tested and validated airframe fatigue life, plus an advanced avionics capability to facilitate future growth. We’re thrilled with this outstanding team of CAE and Safe Air, both existing providers to the RNZAF, and look forward to getting the program up and running.”
The T-6C aircraft and simulators will be based at RNZAF Base Ohakea, where they will support primary through advanced aircrew training before they move on to operational squadrons or the flight instructor course (FIC). The T-6C will replace the Pacific Aerospace CT-4E Airtrainer in the primary phase of the RNZAF Wings Course and FIC training role. It will replace the Beechcraft King Air B200 in the advanced phase of the Wings Course. The aircraft also will be flown by the RNZAF’s formation aerobatic display team made up of senior instructor pilots.
The first four Beechcraft T-6C aircraft will be delivered to the RNZAF in November 2014. At that point, the air force will begin validation flying in preparation for integrating the aircraft into pilot training by mid-2015. All 11 T-6C aircraft will be delivered by mid-2015.
About the T-6
The T-6 military trainer offers military operators worldwide the most proven and cost-effective primary aviation training system available today. Aircraft deliveries began in 2000 after the T-6 was selected to fill the JPATS (Joint Primary Aircraft Training System) role for the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy. Since then, additional military customers worldwide have selected the T-6, including NATO Flying Training Canada, the Hellenic Air Force of Greece, the Israeli Air Force, the Iraqi Air Force, the Royal Moroccan Air Force and the Mexican Air Force.
In addition to accommodating instruction in flying basics, instrument flight procedures and aerobatic maneuvers, the T-6 delivers a world-class training capability that is versatile and flexible enough for teaching introductory flight training tasks, yet sophisticated enough to enable the more challenging and complex advanced training missions.
T-6 models include the original JPATS-winning T-6A, the Navy’s T-6B and a third variant called the T-6C. The T-6B and C are advanced versions of the T-6A with updated cockpit avionics. In order to replicate today’s high-tech frontline aircraft, the new cockpit includes a Heads-Up Display (HUD), Up-Front Control Panel (UFCP), three-color Multi-function Displays (MFD) and Hands-On Throttle and Stick (HOTAS). The integrated glass cockpit and a state-of-the-art avionics suite greatly expands its capabilities, enabling the advanced systems and information management skills training required in current and future military aircraft. The T-6C variant maintains avionics similarity with the T-6B while incorporating a hard-point wing to allow carriage of external fuel tanks.
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Post by johnnyfalcon on Jan 28, 2014 8:59:26 GMT 12
"The aircraft also will be flown by the RNZAF’s formation aerobatic display team made up of senior instructor pilots"
So the Red Checkers have a new mount too! That should be awesome to see
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Post by tfly on Jan 28, 2014 9:55:05 GMT 12
Love the black colour scheme (and I didn't think I would) but it would have been nice if the roundels were low viz in silver flanked by the 14 Squadron black and white diamonds (just an opinion)
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ul450
Flight Sergeant
Posts: 27
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Post by ul450 on Jan 28, 2014 10:22:53 GMT 12
And here I was thinking you really loved the idea that you were suggesting.
Pity they won't be here by Easter for Warbirds :-)
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Post by flyinkiwi on Jan 28, 2014 10:41:23 GMT 12
Yeah, having one on static display would be awesome indeed.
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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Jan 28, 2014 11:35:51 GMT 12
And here I was thinking you really loved the idea that you were suggesting. Pity they won't be here by Easter for Warbirds :-) Yeah, having one on static display would be awesome indeed. Not to worry.....they'll be able to carry out their "major airshow" public display debut at Wings Over Wairarapa next year....
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Post by phil82 on Jan 28, 2014 12:27:51 GMT 12
I see Pacific Aerospace [Really? A misnomer if ever there was one!] is sucking the sourest of grapes while claiming they could have given the air force a better deal with a "new" CT4, thus ignoring the fact that they are comparing apples with oranges. They go on to then complain that the new aircraft will be used to train pilots for "fighter jets" which the air force no longer has. That statement alone shows how little they know about pilot training in the "glass" era. They also claim "they sold CT4s to the Thai Air Force as recently as ten years ago", when in fact that sale was more like twenty years ago.
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Post by phil82 on Jan 28, 2014 12:31:23 GMT 12
Not to worry.....they'll be able to carry out their "major airshow" public display debut at Wings Over Wairarapa next year.... Very true, and WOWai is by far the best show around these days, with a very handy hotel bar available for the aftermatch!
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Post by Mustang51 on Jan 28, 2014 13:47:00 GMT 12
Looks like that sales pitch from Beechcraft at the last Wanaka may have borne fruit..... they crtainly took enough people for a ride in the thing. It was never on the ground ! I believe that the display pilot's name was Rambo. And........... it would appear that I'm back on line !
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Post by htbrst on Jan 28, 2014 14:37:50 GMT 12
I see Pacific Aerospace [Really? A misnomer if ever there was one!] is sucking the sourest of grapes while claiming they could have given the air force a better deal with a "new" CT4, thus ignoring the fact that they are comparing apples with oranges. They go on to then complain that the new aircraft will be used to train pilots for "fighter jets" which the air force no longer has. That statement alone shows how little they know about pilot training in the "glass" era. They also claim "they sold CT4s to the Thai Air Force as recently as ten years ago", when in fact that sale was more like twenty years ago. as I wrote elsewhere there also this: You have to be pretty selective in your definition of a military trainer aircraft for that to be true - particularly when you haven't delivered a military trainer aircraft to an airforce for quite some time...
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Post by Andy Wright on Jan 28, 2014 15:56:46 GMT 12
Looks like that sales pitch from Beechcraft at the last Wanaka may have borne fruit..... they crtainly took enough people for a ride in the thing. It was never on the ground ! I believe that the display pilot's name was Rambo. And........... it would appear that I'm back on line ! Jolly good. As Dave knows, I made several failed attempts to wrest our retired laptops from the various family members we had given them to so you could get online somehow. Failed miserably, obviously, so I'm particularly glad you're back, Pete (and relieved).
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Post by saratoga on Jan 28, 2014 16:13:08 GMT 12
Corrosion resistance!!? Tell that to eagle with their (Raytheon beech) 1900's. They haven't faired that well..especially the back end Not saying Beech aircraft are particularly corrosion resitant, just how the T-6 was developed from the PC-9 with increased awareness of the need for corrosion proofing.
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Post by Ian Warren on Jan 28, 2014 17:10:50 GMT 12
Well now its confirmed, be interesting to see people here create possible livery, maybe a 2d plate or even a Flight simulation as the Iris T6 is a freeware .. maybe a little competition ?.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 28, 2014 17:12:54 GMT 12
Look a couple of pages back, Ian.
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Post by Ian Warren on Jan 28, 2014 17:25:41 GMT 12
That's Superb, the livery suits the type and I'm pleased Cheers Dave
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Post by dazz on Jan 28, 2014 19:50:23 GMT 12
Great news! I can't wait to see Gav shoot the new 'Harvard II' in formation with historic flights' original Harvard!
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Post by richard1098 on Jan 28, 2014 19:56:28 GMT 12
So I wonder what the RAAF are saying about this purchase. Why would they have an opinion? They're too busy getting ready for their first F-35 and C-27J deliveries, certification of the KC-30's boom, finalisation of the P-8/MQ-4 mix, and..... More to the point, why would the RNZAF be interested in the RAAF's opinion?
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