Posted on 12/05/2006 9:31:42 AM PST by SwinneySwitch
A T-6 Texan pilot observes his wingmen during a
training flight near Laughlin Air Force Base. The
single-engine, two-seat T-6, which will replace the
single-engine, two-seat T-34, will have a digital
cockpit instead of dial-instrumentation.
A four million dollar TRAINER?
Good lord, why not digitze the cockpit of a Cessna 172 for basic pilot training?
You're right--they're costly. But do you want to under-train pilots who will soon be flying $80M fighters? The venerable 172 is a good civil aircraft, but it doesn't beging to replicate the speed and maneuverability of front-line military aircraft.
TC
Correct me if I'm wrong - flight training consists of at least two parts - basic and advanced, right? Then, after that, the pilots have to qualify in their aircraft. If I understand correctly, the T-6 Texan II is for basic flight training - simply learning to fly. They still have to go to advanced training, where they learn more about high-performance fighters, and then they still have to check out in their combat aircraft.
It seems that $4.3 million is a bit pricey to train basic flight skills.
Didn't know you could recycle designations. I'm thinking what else I'd like to see back.
Two other items:
First, thank you for your service. You gave me a free country to grow up in.
Second: I was being a *bit* tongue in cheek about the 172. My main point remains, however, about $4.3 million seeming a bit pricey for a basic trainer.
First the Cessna 172 is a high-wing aircraft so landings & approaches are different. I wouldn't think that the Cessnas airframe is pre-stressed for aerobatics, either. I would think that if you used the 172 you'd have to add an intermediate step to flight training using still another trainer. THAT would be REALLY wasteful.
See my post #9. I was being a bit sarcastic about the Cessna 172. The point remains, however, that $4.3 million is awfully damn expensive for a basic flight trainer.
Some of the students trained in the T-6 will be selected for fighter and strike pipelines and their next aircraft will be either the T-38 or T-45.
These students need a high performance aircraft capable of aerobatic performance, training towards glass cockpits, and hands on stick and throttle flying.
OK. The point remains though that if you skimp on capabilities in the Basic Trainer, then it's a bigger jump to the Advanced Trainer.
Kinda interesting how the T6 was revamped after all these years. I imagine that a good chunk of the cost for those puppies is the electronics. So you're not getting away from that $4.3 mil per copy price regardless of the specific aircraft type that you choose.
Someone once refered to the electronics package of a combat aircraft as "prime cuts" -- presumably because that's where the bulk of the $$$'s go.
So it's a $3 million avionics package?
Does it at least come with a cd player?
It is not just a basic trainer. Students who are selected for multi engine and helicopters will take advanced training in the Texan as well.
The training is also much more that just takeoff and landing. They go through familiarization, instrument training, form training and acrobatics. These aircraft also have to be able to withstand about 1000 flight hours a year.
I think the price tag is just about right for the mission to which it is assigned.
The've recycled names, of course. The one that comes to mind is the Corsair. I'd like to see them bring back the P-51 Mustang.
Remember that at T-34 is basically a tandem seat Beech Bonanza.
Actually it does. I've flown them all and know that the newly minted pilot who now advances through the stages of the new joint service training program into the separate aircraft and service specific tracks is far, far superior to those of us who've made that journey in the past. Where once military flying was a combination of navigating, communicating and aviating as a member of a larger group, the new aerial warrior is much more likely to be a one-airplane delivery system and strike force. In addition to the traditional roles, the speed at which things occur, the over-the-horizon systems management and electronic wizzardry demand much more than stick and rudder know-how.
And, it cannot be ignored that there will be far fewer winged guys and gals in flight suits than has been the case throughout the history of military operations. The new T-6 is the right basic machine to create the manned aircraft driver of the 21st Century.
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