About the Texan T1

ROLE

The Beechcraft Texan T MK1 (Texan T1) provides basic flying training at RAF Valley. Student’s progress onto the aircraft from the elementary flying training on the Prefect T1 and move forwards to advanced flying training on the Hawk T2. 

CAPABILITY

Continuing the precedent set by the Tucano for employing a tandem-seat turboprop basic trainer, the Texan II replaces the analogue cockpit of the earlier machine with a digital glass cockpit featuring modern avionics.  The aircraft’s mission system is capable of generating simulated air-to-air targets and scoring against the release of simulated air-to-ground ordnance. 

An illustration of the T-6C Texan II as it would look in flight.
The T-6C takes over training duties from the Tucano.

TYPE HISTORY

Under Raytheon ownership, Beech developed the T-6A Texan II from the Pilatus PC-9, in response to the long-running US Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS) requirement to replace the Cessna T-37.  After reworking a Pilatus-supplied airframe, Beech flew a production standard Texan II, known then as the Beech Mk II, for the first time in December 1992.  On June 22, 1995, Beech was announced the winner of the JPATS competition and the Texan II began re-equipping USAF flying training squadrons in May 2000.

The Texan II name recalls the North American T-6 Texan of World War II, a type used extensively by the RAF and Royal Canadian Air Force as the Harvard.  When the T-6A-1 was developed as the CT-156 for the NATO Flying Training in Canada programme, it was appropriately named Harvard II.  Subsequent variants include the T-6B for the US Navy and T-6C export version.

Today, a fleet of 14 Texan T1s are operated by 72 Squadron providing training to Royal Air Force and Royal Navy student pilots.

Based at

Flying with

Specifications

Beechcraft T-6C Texan II (Texan T1):

  • Powerplant: one 1,100shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprop engine
  • Length: 33ft 4in (10.16m)
  • Height: 10ft 8in (3.25m)
  • Wingspan: 33ft 5in (10.20m)
  • Wing area: 175.30sqft (16.28m2)
  • Maximum take-off weight: 6,900lb (3,130kg)
  • Maximum speed: 316kt (585km/h)
  • Ferry range: 884nm (1,637km)
  • Maximum altitude: 31,000ft