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Beechcraft T-6A Texan II

Note: This aircraft is currently in storage.

The two-seat, single-engine T-6A Texan II was designed to serve as the primary instruction aircraft for both the U.S. Air Force and Navy's pilot training programs. The T-6A was selected as the standardized aircraft for the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS), a planned training integration management system of aircraft, simulators and other automated training devices. The JPATS program was part of the Department of Defense's effort to streamline military training operations by increasing overall efficiency and reducing base costs. The first contracts for the T-6A were awarded to Raytheon in 1996, and the first operational airframe was delivered to the USAF in 2000.

The T-6A, a militarized version of the Beech/Pilatus PC-9 basic trainer, is equipped with modern digital instrument panels and is configured with forward and rear control positions allowing for interchangeable seating of the student and instructor. Capable of a wide range of aerobatic maneuvers due to excellent thrust-to-weight ratio, the T-6A can perform an initial climb of 3,100 feet per minute and can reach an altitude of 18,000 feet in less than six minutes.

This T-6A, s/n 06-3851, was assigned to the 71st Flying Training Wing at Vance Air Force Base, Okla., and was received by the museum in 2010.

TECHNICAL NOTES:
Crew:
Two (student pilot and instructor pilot)
Engine: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-68 of 1,100 hp
Range: 900 nautical miles
Speed: 320 mph
Ceiling: 31,000 ft.

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