PAC Airtrainer CT/4

1972


PRIMARY TRAINER, SPORTPLANE	Virtual Aircraft Museum / newzealand / PAC

PAC CT/4E Airtrainer of Royal Thai Air Force

New Zealand redesign of Australian Victa Aircruiser; first flight 23 February 1972; deliveries began October 1973; 94 (plus two prototypes) built before production ended 1977 (75 CT/4A and 19 special military variants); production line reopened 1991 to build 12 civil CT/4Bs for Ansett Flying College and six for Thailand; last completed August 1992. First flight of CT/4C turboprop prototype (converted RAAF CT/4B) 21 January 1991.

CURRENT VERSIONS

T350: Turboprop version (previously known as C174C) with 313kW Rolls-Royce 250-B17D (throttle limited to 261kW) in lengthened nose. Certification was expected 1998 in anticipation of Southeast Asian order for 30, but this failed to materialise. Some interest still being shown in this version.

CT/4E: Developed version of CT/4B with more powerful engine; wing mounted slightly farther forward than on CT/4B; first flight (converted from RAAF CT/4A) 14 December 1991; NZ certification (FAR Pi 23 Amendment 36) 8 May 1992.

Specification

MODEL	CT/4E
WEIGHTS
Take-off weight	1179 kg	2599 lb
Loaded weight	807 kg	1779 lb
DIMENSIONS
Wingspan	7.92 m	26 ft 0 in
Length	7.16 m	24 ft 6 in
Height	2.59 m	9 ft 6 in
Wing area	11.98 m²	128.95 sq ft
PERFORMANCE
Max. speed	302 km/h	188 mph
Cruise speed	282 km/h	175 mph
Ceiling	5550 m	18200 ft
Range	963 km	598 miles

Comments

john creed, e-mail, 01.05.2015 15:11

I have a book written about Cliff Tait flying this aircraft around the world. It was a great read, and to think this small plane took it in its stride. Pity a lot more aren't made.

Barry, 02.01.2013 18:35

The CT4 will be retired from the RNZAF by or during 2018 and the hunt is now on to find a replacement. This will also apply to their multi engined training currently carried out on Beech A200 King Air's.

DON MCDONALD, e-mail, 12.02.2011 05:09

Cliff Jr...........this one might be faster and more
comfortable but its range does not compare to ZXU's
1420 miles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MY BEST TO YOUR DAD

Cristina, e-mail, 10.01.2010 11:10

My Dad, Cliff Tait, flew an airtourer around the world in 1969 on his own. Then he ferried these planes to various destinations to be used by airforces.

Chris R., e-mail, 02.04.2023

Cristina

Hello from Colorado, Cristina. I realize I am responding to your post almost 13 years later. Would you be willing to reach out and help me answer a few questions about your dad's circumnavigation? I appreciate it!

Do you have any comments?

Name E-mail

All the World's Rotorcraft