Market Intelligence: -General Aviation

Aircraft Manufacturer Delivers 1,000th Trainer Aircraft for Defense Sector

Textron Aviation Defense announced the delivery of the 1,000th Beechcraft T-6C Texan II aircraft and the achievement of the 5 million flight hour milestone across the global T-6 fleet. All Beechcraft T-6 Texan II aircraft are designed and manufactured at the company’s Wichita, Kansas facilities.

“It’s an honor to celebrate the 1,000th delivery of a truly legendary aircraft,” said Ron Draper, president and CEO of Textron Aviation. “The world’s most advanced global air forces and pilots trust us to deliver a great aircraft that enables them to make the world a better, more secure place. Our world-class workforce goes above and beyond to design, manufacture, deliver and support the world’s premier military flight trainer. It is an honor that partner nations continue to put their confidence in the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II as the gold standard in training capabilities.”

The 1,000th T-6 military flight trainer was delivered to the Colombian Air Force. The fleet of five T-6C Texan II trainers equip Air Combat Command No. 1 (CACOM-1) with its initial slate of Beechcraft T-6C Texan II advanced military training aircraft at the Capitan Germán Olano Moreno Air Base in Palanquero, Colombia.

The global fleet of Beechcraft T-6 Texan II Integrated Training Systems (ITS) encompasses five variants, which were manufactured on an active production line with an industry-leading Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) rating of 10.

  • Leading the fleet are the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS) T-6A and T-6B aircraft — operated by the United States Air Force and the United States Navy, respectively.
  • The T-6C is an exportable military flight trainer.
  • The T-6C+ is an exportable armed variant of the T-6C.
  • The T-6D is operated by the United States Army.

“Together, our team has crafted an integrated training system that is the world’s most advanced, most sought-after capability for producing pilots — in particular, 4th and 5th gen pilots,” said Tom Hammoor, president & CEO of Textron Aviation Defense LLC. “Our nation has relied on the T-6 for more than 20 years to train its flight students. Prior to that, the United States relied on the Beechcraft T-34 Turbo Mentor, the Beechcraft T-34 Mentor and the Cessna T-37 Tweet. That means that every pilot across the Department of Defense has learned to fly in a Beechcraft or Cessna aircraft for nearly 70 years.”

The fleet of 1,000 Beechcraft T-6 Texan II trainers empower global pilot capabilities across 13 nations and two North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) flight schools. Operators of the T-6 include the:

  • NATO Flight Training Program in Canada
  • Euro NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program (ENJJPT) at Sheppard AFB, Texas
  • U.S. Air Force Aviation Leadership Program
  • U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Army and Coast Guard
  • Mexican Navy and Mexican Air Force
  • Hellenic Air Force
  • Argentine Air Force
  • Iraqi Air Force
  • Israeli Air Force
  • Royal Air Force
  • Royal Canadian Air Force
  • Royal Moroccan Air Force
  • Royal New Zealand Air Force
  • Colombian Air Force
  • Royal Thai Air Force
  • Tunisian Air Force

Additionally, the U.S. Air Force recently announced a 14th nation will acquire the T-6C via a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program leveraging 2021 and 2022 Building Partnership Capacity funds.

Proven experience, affordability 

Backed by more than 90 years of experience delivering more than 250,000 aircraft worldwide, the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II’s low acquisition, operating and sustainment costs enable global air forces to fast-track pilot production. With an installed base that more than quadruples its closest competitor, the family of Beechcraft T-6 Texan II aircraft has been the world’s number one Integrated Training System (ITS) for more than 20 years. The Beechcraft T-6 Texan II capitalizes on an active production line with an industry-leading Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) rating of 10 as well as a proven supply chain and the affordability of 85 percent parts commonality with the Beechcraft AT-6E Wolverine.

About Textron Aviation Defense LLC 

When military customers need airborne solutions for their critical missions, they turn to Textron Aviation Defense. With a legacy of thousands of proven Integrated Training Systems (ITS) and Integrated Weapon Systems (IWS) produced and missionized in America’s Heartland since WWII, the family of Textron aircraft equip militaries worldwide with the lowest acquisition, sustainment and training costs on the market. Provider of the world’s leading military flight trainer, the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II fleet of 1,000 aircraft has logged more than 5 million hours across two NATO military flight schools and thirteen countries worldwide.

About Textron Aviation   

Textron Aviation inspires the journey of flight. For more than 95 years, Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company, has empowered collective talent across the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands to design and deliver the best aviation experience for their customers. With a range that includes everything from business jets, turboprops, and high-performance pistons, to special mission, military trainer and defense products, Textron Aviation has the most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the world and a workforce that has produced more than half of all general aviation aircraft worldwide. Customers in more than 170 countries rely on their legendary performance, reliability and versatility, along with their trusted global customer service network, for affordable and flexible flight.

About Textron Inc. 

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, and Textron Systems.

Source: Textron Aviation Press Release

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Parts of the interview can be seen here.

Photo Credit: AeroGuard Flight Training Center

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Photo Credit: Aspen Flight Academy

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US Air Force Educate High School Aspiring Airmen in Flight Simulator Program

In conjunction with Altus Public Schools, instructor pilots from Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma have been educating and training high school students in aviation using X-Plane 11 flight simulators at Altus High School. Every week throughout the school year, pilots have the opportunity to volunteer to mentor and educate students using the simulators as part of an aviation science, technology, engineering and math curriculum.“The simulators provide a real-world application of what they are learning in the classroom,” said Maj. Evan Lomeli, 97th Operations Group C-17 Globemaster III chief of standardization and evaluation. “Aviation requires elements from each discipline of STEM, and the simulators provide a fun and engaging platform for the students to apply those academic lessons”

The simulators allow roughly 20 students to practice flying more than 10 different types of airframes, allowing familiarization with basic aircraft operations.

“This program gives students the opportunity to see if they enjoy flying and provides a foundation if they do pursue a career in aviation,” Lomeli said.

Students also have the opportunity to learn about engineering practices and problem-solving, as well as the innovations and technological developments that have made today’s aviation possible. Even if students do not want to fly someday, this class introduces concepts that could lead to interest in a variety of STEM-related fields.

Stacey Davis, AHS science instructor, explained how the simulators provide a chance to inspire the next generation of pilots.

“The students have an opportunity to learn real life situations in a controlled way,” Davis said. “It inspires them and gives them confidence. For some students, it has been the spark to pursue a career as a pilot, and it all starts here in this class.”

Source: Altus Air Force Base Press Release

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