PAC CT/4

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The Pacific Aerospace Corporation CT/4 Airtrainer series are all-metal construction, single-engine, two place side-by-side seating, fully aerobatic, piston engined, basic training aircraft manufactured in Hamilton, New Zealand.

PAC's predecessor, AESL, derived the CT4 from the earlier 4 seat Victa Aircruiser, itself an upgrade of the basic AESL Airtourer, 87 of which had been manufactured at Hamilton in the 1970s. Externally the CT/4 can be recognised by its larger engine and bubble canopy, (designed in an aerofoil shape to generate additional lift).

The CT/4 proved to be an agile and capable military training aircraft. It is currently in use with the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) and the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), and formerly used by the Royal Australian Air Force, (until primary training was sub contracted). In Australia the type is commonly known as the "plastic parrot", (a reference to its gaudy RAAF colour scheme - the aircraft is in fact all aluminium). Many former RAAF and RNZAF aircraft are owned by private pilots and companies contracted to provide training for airforces or airlines. Some new build CT4s have also been produced for such private owners. Not counting the converted Aircruiser prototype, a total of 153 aircraft had been made by January 2005, when low volume production was continuing for the RTAF and Singapore.

[edit] Existing Variants

CT-4A : Powered by a 210 hp Continental piston engine.

The first ever CT-4E model Airtrainer circa 1994

The initial production design, 78 built for RTAF and RAAF and civilian operators.
CT-4B : Powered by a 225 hp Continental piston engine.
A version of the CT4A with minimal changes to suit the RNZAF, 38 built for RNZAF, RTAF and civilian operators.

This is also used by the RAAF as a basic trainer and for the Pilot Selction process

CT-4C : a turboprop variant rebuilt from an RNZAF CT4B that never reached production. After a successful flight test programme and unsuccessful marketing programme, the prototype CT4C was returned to CT4B standard.
CT-4D : (aka CT4CR) a proposed retractable undercarriage model that has never flown.
CT-4E : Powered by a 300 hp Lycoming and with a three blade propeller, the CT4E was a significant update, designed to compete for a USAF requirement. Though not selected by the US, the type has been ordered by the RTAF, RNZAF, Singapore and BAe pilot training, it is the current production model, with 37 built to date.