A Beechcraft rendition of the T-6C trainer with IAF roundels added on. This aircraft, which will be evaluated by the IAF from Monday the 11th, is one of the hot contenders to replace the accident-dogged HPT-32 Deepak that the IAF has been using as a Stage-1 trainer.
I had written about the Grob trainer, which is also vying for India's purchase of 75 trainers, while HAL develops and builds 106 of its own Hindustan Turbo Trainer - 40 (HTT-40). My article is archived in Broadsword, on 16th June 10, "Grob Aircraft targets 181 trainers for the IAF: eyes HAL’s share of 106 basic trainers"
The Beechcraft press release is replicated below:
Beechcraft T-6C Trainer to Demonstrate Proven Capabilities during Indian Air Force Field Evaluation Trials
WICHITA, Kan. (Oct. 5, 2010) – Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) today announced its Beechcraft T-6C military trainer is scheduled for evaluation by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in field evaluation trials beginning Oct. 11 at the Air Force Station Jamnagar in India. HBC is vying for a contract that specifies an initial purchase of 75 aircraft and options for follow-on orders that could eventually exceed 100 aircraft. A decision on the contract is anticipated in the coming months.
“The T-6C offers the Indian Air Force the world’s most proven and cost-effective training system available,” said Jim Maslowski, HBC president, U.S. and International Government Business. “It accommodates instruction in instrument flight procedures and basic aerial maneuvers and, including its predecessors the T-6A and T-6B, has accounted for more than 640 deliveries worldwide.”
The T-6C is being considered as a replacement for the IAF’s HPT-32 Deepak 2 trainer. The evaluations will be conducted over five days and consist of flights by IAF test and instructor pilots. HBC will also demonstrate the T-6C’s maintainability as part of the evaluation.
The T-6C aircraft features an integrated glass cockpit and advanced avionics suite that greatly expands advanced training opportunities, including a Head-Up Display, Up Front Control Panel, three Multifunction Displays and Hands-On Throttle and Stick. With its hard point wing, it can accommodate external fuel tanks and the systems and capabilities of today’s front-line strike fighter aircraft, while retaining all the inherent training and flying characteristics that have made the T-6 the most successful primary trainer in the world.
The Beechcraft T-6 delivers an outstanding training capability that is appropriate for most basic introductory flight training through more challenging and complex advanced training missions. To date, it has been used to train pilots from approximately 20 different countries.
Deliveries of the T-6 began in 2000 after the aircraft was initially selected to fill the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System role for the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy. Since then, additional military programs worldwide, including NATO Flying Training in Canada, the Hellenic Air Force of Greece, the Israeli Air Force, the Iraqi Air Force and the Royal Moroccan Air Force, have chosen the T-6 as their primary trainers.
Is there anything we will not import....It is sad that we even have to import these basic flying machines.
ReplyDeleteSaalo saal laga diye R&D par lekin mili to aakhir mein "Import pe Import, Import pe Import, Import pe Import"
ReplyDeleteToday it is equally or even more exciting to know the reasons behind IAF's decision to not support or in straight words 'thrash' HAL's proposal for developing a tandem seat Basic Trainer tentatively called HTT-36 in mid 80s.
ReplyDeleteI hope in coming articles on IAF's quest for BT, BROADSWORD will give space to this.
Thanks You.
looks like Beechcraft has hired a good spokesperson.
ReplyDeleteIt is high time that the big Indian capitalists shall purchase the American weapon industries.
ReplyDeleteThese trainers are not just 'basic flying machines'. Whilst their performance statistics might not be anything to shout about, they are very carefully designed for user friendliness, ease of flying, ability to cope with ham-fisted trainee pilot inputs and maximal ability to recover spontaneously from unusual/unstable attitudes. Above all , these machines are designed to inspire confidence in novice pilots.
ReplyDelete"The Beechcraft T-6 delivers an outstanding training capability that is appropriate for most basic introductory flight training through more challenging and complex advanced training missions."
ReplyDeleteSeeing that it is part of your unquoted normal text, I assume its your considered opinion and not just a cut and paste from the company blurb.
Having some exposure to Pilatus, I can say that they handle beautifully. I am told that these are improvements on the P-9s. So, must be pretty good. I wonder how they stack up against the Grob though.
ReplyDelete[User: AshLin]
ReplyDeleteThat is not my text. The entire portion in blue is the company press release.
have a look at this this...don't these people know we are a super-power:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11512674
Anonymous 14:08
ReplyDeleteI don't know about 'don't these guys know that we are superpower?',
but yes, these guys are scum.
BHAIYON, I AM AN INDIAN WHOSE FOREFATHERS WERE ENSLAVED BY THE BRITISH IN 1879 AND BROUGHT TO FIJI AS SLAVES.IT EXCITES ME TO SEE MOTHER INDIA BECOME A POWERHOUSE MILITARILY TO ENSURE NO INDIANS ARE EVER ENSLAVED ,SO BUYING ,STEALING AND HOPEFULLY ANNEXING PAKISTAN ONE DAY IS A LONGING DREAM FOR US FORMER SLAVES. SO GO BUY EVERYTHING AND KICK ARSE !!!!!!!
ReplyDelete