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Raytheon CT-156 HARVARD II
The Raytheon CT-156 Harvard II aircraft in NFTC colours (CF Photo)
The Raytheon Harvard II is an export version of the Raytheon Texan II currently in USAF, USN service. The Raytheon design is in fact a further enhanced development of the Pilatus-designed PC-9 trainer aircraft. Although based on the PC-9, the Raytheon Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS) submission for the US forces required extensive changes including cockpit pressurization, improved bird-strike protection, zero-zero ejection seats and a single-point pressure refueling capability.
The Harvard IIs are, in turn, identical to the Texan II aircraft except for the addition an automatic direction finder, a second VOR, propeller deicing system, standby VHF transceiver and an approach chart holder installed on the cockpit glare shield. Student pilots chosen to attend NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) complete their basic flight training in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan on the Raytheon CT-156 Harvard II aircraft. Canadian military pilots training on the Harvard II have arrived at Moose Jaw after initial screening at Portage La Prairie on contractor-leased Slingsby Firefly aircraft. They then spend 95 hours on the Harvard II, at which point they are streamed into the fighter, multi-engine or helicopter programs for further advanced training.
| Manufacturer: | Raytheon |
| Crew/Passengers: | two pilots in tandem |
| Power Plant: | one 1,700 shp Pratt & Whitney PT-6A-68 turboprop engine derated to 1,100 shp driving a four-blade Hartzell variable pitch propeller |
| Performance: | Max Speed:448 mph (500 km/h) Cruising Speed: mph ( km/h) Service Ceiling: 35,000 ft (10,668 m) Range: 2,736 mi ( 1,700 km) |
| Weights: | Empty: 4,600 lb ( 2,087 kg) Gross: 6,300 lb ( 2,857 kg) |
| Dimensions: | Span: 32 ft 2 1/2 in (10.13 m) Length: 33 ft 3 1/4 in (10.14 m) Height: 10 ft 8 1/2 in ( 3.26 m) Wing Area: 176 sq ft (16.29 sq m) |
| Armament: | None |
| Cost: | Leased from Bombardier |
