The Royal New Zealand Air Force plans to upgrade its primary-trainer fleet by replacing its 15 Pacific Aerospace (PAC) CT/4B Airtrainers with 13 leased CT4Es.
The later model is powered by Avco Lycoming's AIO-540L1E5, delivering 225kW (300hp). Half the order is scheduled for delivery by August 1998, with the remainder due by the end of the year. Brian Hare, chief executive of Hamilton-based PAC, says that the company has also completed negotiations for 24 CT4Es for the Thai air force, but the order is on hold until the Thai economy improves.
Negotiations are in progress with another unnamed South-East Asian country for up to 30 turbine-powered CT4C trainers, powered by Allison 250 engines flat rated at 260kW. Hare says that the company plans to proceed with the development of the turbine variant independently of orders, as a private venture.
Source: Flight International