CT-156 Harvard II
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The CT-156 Harvard II is an agile flight trainer used for pilot instruction in the NFTC (NATO Flying Training in Canada) located at 15 Wing, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. They are leased to the Canadian Forces (Air Command, formerly known as the Royal Canadian Air Force) by the program's administrator, Bombardier. The Harvard II is based on the Raytheon T-6 Texan II, which is itself a version of the Swiss Pilatus PC-9 heavily modified and upgraded for service as the US JPATS primary trainer. The power/weight ratio of the aircraft's Pratt & Whitney PT6A-68 Turboprop make it an ideal tool for training fast jet pilots at half the price of an actual jet trainer. Cockpit layout, ejection protocols, and performance mimic the widely-praised BAE Hawk Jet Trainer. All pilots in the NFTC program train for 95 hours on the CT-156 Harvard II before moving on to the Helicopter, Multi-Engine, or Fast Jet threads of the CF Air Command. Those pilots selected for Fast Jets train for another 40+ hours on the Harvard II before moving on to the Hawk, and finally the CF-118 (CF-18 Hornet). For this training, the NFTC has 24 Harvard II aircraft owned and maintained by Bombardier, but all instruction is given by CF.
[edit] Specifications
- Length: 10.175 m
- Wingspan: 10.19 m
- Height: 3.26 m
- Weight: 2 230 kg
- Engine: P&W PT6A-68 Turboprop
- Max Speed (Cruise): 437 km/h (236 knots)
- Max Range: 1700 km
- Max Altitude: approx. 9 500 m
- Crew: 1 pilot, 1 trainer
