Cessna T-41 Mescalero

The Cessna T‑41 Mescalero is the military trainer version of the popular civilian Cessna 172 Skyhawk, produced by the American manufacturer Cessna Aircraft Company from 1965 until 1993. Developed in response to a United States Air Force requirement for a simple, reliable primary trainer, the T‑41 first entered service in 1965 and soon became the standard basic flight‑training aircraft for the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and numerous foreign air forces. Powered by a Lycoming O‑320 or O‑360 engine delivering 150–180 horsepower, the high‑wing, all‑metal airframe offers excellent visibility, forgiving handling, and low operating costs, making it ideal for novice pilots. The aircraft features fixed tricycle landing gear, a conventional instrument panel, and a side‑by‑side seating arrangement that allows instructor and student to communicate easily. Over 7,000 T‑41s were built, and the type helped shape the training curriculum that produced thousands of pilots during the Vietnam era and beyond. Its durability and simplicity also led to extended civilian service, where many former military examples continue to fly as light sport and training aircraft, underscoring the Mescalero’s lasting impact on aviation education.

Cessna

Cessna T-41 Mescalero

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Design & Classification