The New Zealand CT-4A Airtrainer can trace its ancestry from the Australian Victa Airtourer, designed by Henry Millicer in the 1950s. In 1969 an AESL T4, registered ZK-CJN, flew to Australia for RAAF evaluation. RAAF Air Staff Requirement 67, issued in May, 1971, laid down the requirements for a basic trainer to replace the Winjeel and AESL responded with a development of the Aircruiser, powered by a 210hp Continental. Known as the CT-4, the prototype, ZK-DGY, flew on February 23, 1972.The CT-4 was selected by the RAAF over the Scottish Aviation Bulldog, and the order for 37 aircraft was announced on July 24, 1972, at a cost of $3.2 million.The CT-4 was phased out of service at 1FTS in December, 1992, and this marked a change in policy for RAAF basic pilot training. Civil contractors will now conduct RAAF and RAN flight grading, in addition to army basic training, with the contract being awarded to the BAe Systems College at Tamworth.
Features include:
2 seat single engine low wing all metal monoplane
Strong fixed tricycle undercarriage
Powered by Textron Lycoming AEIO-540L1B5 engine certified for inverted flight
Hartzell constant speed propeller
Side by side seating in a spacious cockpit
Lifting and jettisonable canopy
Maximum all up weight is 2,600 lbs (1180 kg)
Fatigue life up to 14,000 hours
Dual engine and propeller control levers
Dual control columns
Seating is designed for back pack parachutes
Canopy height allows the use of helmets.
