Alert 5

Aviation News

New Zealand orders Beechcraft T-6C

Posted on by alert5

New Zealand has decided to replace its Beech King Air aircraft with the T-6C. Helene Quilter, Secretary of Defence and Russ Bartlett, President of Beechcraft Inc., signed the contract at New Zealand Defence House in Wellington on Jan. 24.

12110905095_ef4abc7d50_k[1]
Photo: US Embassy New Zealand

New Zealand is expected to take delivery of two T-6Cs later this year.

[thumb]http://www.flickr.com/photos/us_embassy_newzealand/12110905095/[/thumb]

Related posts (Automatically Generated):

  1. Malta gets second Hawker Beech King Air B200 maritime patrol aircraft
  2. IAI signs three-year UAV contract with Oboronprom
  3. U.S. denies halt to Pakistan F-16 program, new aircraft to arrive this month
  4. Antony: No dateline for signing Rafale contract
  5. RNZAF receives first operational aircraft since 1970
  6. New Zealand is first export customer for Sea Ceptor

One thought on “New Zealand orders Beechcraft T-6C”

  1. This acquistion as of yet an undisclosed number is part of the NZDF Pilot Training Capability Program which was presented in the 2011 Defence Capability Plan.

    [quote]Capabilities under approval

    The NZDF pilot training system is a key enabler of airborne capability, training both fixed wing and rotary wing pilots. The Defence White Paper 2010 noted that the future NZDF pilot training capability needs to match the full range of operational demands made on aircrew. A project to deliver a new pilot training capability for the NZDF has been approved. A detailed business case is being developed to seek options for delivery from market. Particular emphasis will be placed on acquiring a replacement aircraft for the provision of advanced pilot training, and exploring opportunities for increased use of simulators. The new A109 helicopters will form part of the new pilot training capability by providing rotary wing training. Some multi engine pilot training capability will be provided via a separate aircraft. The pilot training capability project is expected to be delivered in 2014/15.

    (NZDF Capability Plan, 2011, p33 of 40).

    http://www.nzdf.mil.nz/downloads/pdf/general/defence%20capability%20plan.pdf [/quote]
    Nothing has been mentioned in public by NZDF of this replacing the King Air B200s. It’s somewhat difficult to do multi engine pilot training in second engined aircraft. The current B200 lease expires in 2018. There is rumoured to be an announcement during the coming week about the complete pilot training capability project, of which the T6C aquisition is just one part.

Comments are closed.