Pacific Aerospace
CT/4 Airtrainer
The CT/4 Airtrainer, built by New Zealand’s Pacific Aerospace, is a two‑seat, low‑wing monoplane that entered service in the early 1970s as a primary trainer for military and civilian pilots. Development began in 1968 when Pacific Aerospace licensed the design of the French SNCASO SO‑4050, adapting it with locally sourced components and a more powerful Lycoming O‑320 engine. Production started in 1972 at the company’s Hamilton plant, and over the next three decades more than 300 airframes were delivered to air forces in Australia, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, and the United Kingdom, as well as to flying clubs worldwide.
Key features include a sturdy all‑metal airframe, simple yet responsive handling, a fixed tricycle undercarriage, and a glass‑cockpit retrofit option that modernises the cockpit while preserving the classic trainer feel. The aircraft’s low operating cost, forgiving stall characteristics, and rapid turnaround for maintenance have made it ideal for basic flight instruction and aerobatic practice. Its longevity and continued use underscore the CT/4’s significance: it has helped shape pilot training standards, proved adaptable to evolving technology, and remains a benchmark for economical, reliable trainer aircraft in the global aviation community.
Key features include a sturdy all‑metal airframe, simple yet responsive handling, a fixed tricycle undercarriage, and a glass‑cockpit retrofit option that modernises the cockpit while preserving the classic trainer feel. The aircraft’s low operating cost, forgiving stall characteristics, and rapid turnaround for maintenance have made it ideal for basic flight instruction and aerobatic practice. Its longevity and continued use underscore the CT/4’s significance: it has helped shape pilot training standards, proved adaptable to evolving technology, and remains a benchmark for economical, reliable trainer aircraft in the global aviation community.
Classification
Dimensions
- Length
- 108 inch
- Height
- 53 inch
- Wingspan
- 42.5 inch
- Mass
- 2350 pound
Performance
- Maximum Speed
- 146 knot
- Service Ceiling
- 17900 foot
- Range
- 767 nautical mile
Production & History
- First Flight
- 1972
Design & Classification
- Country of Origin
- Manufacturer
- Pacific Aerospace
- Engine
- IO-360-D
- Wikidata ID
- Q1359408