NZAero announced this week that they would re-start CT-4 Airtrainer production after an order from the government of Thailand, ending a 14-year manufacturing hiatus for the iconic trainer.
NZ Aero signed a memorandum of understanding with the Thai government on 21 August, with the prime ministers of Thailand and New Zealand both witnessing the signing.
The Hamilton-based company has started building five new CT-4s, the first of the type to enter production since 2012, following what the company says is growing interest from both military and civilian pilot training organisations.
“The CT-4 occupies a specialist position at the introductory end of the pilot training pathway, providing trainees with an aircraft on which to develop core flying skills before progressing to significantly faster and more technologically complex aircraft," said NZAero CEO Stephen Burrows.
“There are only a small number of aircraft which compete directly in this category and the competing designs are also relatively old.
“What we have is a proven aircraft which is now being brought back into production with a modern glass cockpit, flight data capture and significant safety and performance improvements.
“We are seeing growing interest internationally from civilian operators involved in airline pilot training as well."
The Royal Thai Air Force currently operates 25 CT-4 aircraft, including 19 CT-4Es, which NZAero is in discussions to modernise. An estimated 3500 Thai pilots have undergone basic flight training on the CT-4 since the aircraft was introduced into service in Thailand in 1973.
“The CT-4 provides that important first step in a pilot’s development," Burrows says. "It allows trainees to establish core flying skills in an aircraft that is straightforward and forgiving to operate before progressively introducing the speed, technology and complexity of more advanced platforms.
“With particularly strong aviation growth forecast across our region, we believe there is a real opportunity for New Zealand to capture a larger share of this international market.”
The CT-4 Airtrainer was developed from the Australian Victa Aircruiser in the late 1960s and served as the basic trainer for the Royal Australian Air Force from 1975 to 1982 and saw further service as a flight screening platform until 2018.
The last flying example on RAAF strength was struck off in June this year, when A19-077 was retired from 100 Squadron at Point Cook.
The RNZAF used the CT-4 as a basic trainer from 1975 to 2015, when the last CT/4E was retired.
- Steve Hitchen