Military Trainers

The advanced jet trainer built for modern fighter preparation.

The Alenia Aermacchi M-346 is an advanced jet trainer introduced in the 2000s. Designed to prepare pilots for fourth- and fifth-generation fighters, it emphasizes performance and avionics realism. The aircraft serves multiple air forces.

The jet trainer built for basic and advanced flight instruction.

The MB-339 entered service in the late 1970s as a successor to the MB-326. Designed for pilot training and light attack duties, it became widely exported. The aircraft remains in limited service today.

The aerobatic trainer built for civilian and military instruction.

The SF-260 is a light piston trainer introduced in the 1960s. Known for its responsive handling, it has been used for aerobatics and military training. The aircraft remains widely operated.

Failed post-WWII British trainer aircraft

The Avro 701 Athena was produced by the British manufacturer Avro as an advanced trainer aircraft during the late 1940s. It first flew in June 1948 and was introduced in 1950. The aircraft saw service with the Royal Air Force and was built to replace the North American Harvard trainer aircraft, however, the Athena was hardly sold with only twenty-two aircraft built including prototypes.

The primary trainer built for modern digital cockpit instruction.

The Beechcraft T-6C is a turboprop military trainer developed from the Pilatus PC-9 design. Equipped with advanced avionics and training systems, it prepares pilots for modern combat aircraft. The aircraft is widely used in U.S. and allied training programs.

The twin-jet trainer that introduced generations to military flight

The Cessna T-37 Tweet was developed as a primary jet trainer for the United States Air Force at the dawn of the jet age. Small, simple, and distinctive for its high-pitched engine sound, it became the first jet aircraft flown by thousands of military pilots. For decades, it served as the starting point for advanced fighter and bomber training careers.

Chinese two-seat trainer jet

The Chengdu JJ-5 is a two-seat trainer variant of the Mig-17 developed by the Chinese company Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation. In May 1966, it performed its maiden flight. The aircraft was a combination of MiG-15UTI’s (JJ-2) cockpit, Shenyang J-5‘s engine, and J-5A’s fuselage. It entered service with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force in November 1967 and ceased production in 1986. A total number of 1,061 JJ-5s were built and has been exported to different countries.

Advanced twin-engine trainer in the early 1940s

The Curtiss-Wright AT-9 was developed and produced by Curtiss-Wright Corporation as an advanced twin-engined trainer aircraft of the United States in the Second World War. It was built to have the qualities of both a single-engine trainer aircraft and a twin-engined combat fighter. The aircraft was a low-wing cantilever monoplane which first flew in 1941. It was produced from 1941 to 1943 with a total number of 792 aircraft built including prototype and AT-9A versions.

Scout and advanced trainer introduced in 1942

The Curtiss-Wright CW-22 was developed and manufactured by the American company Curtiss-Wright Corporation as a general-purpose advanced trainer during the 1940s. The aircraft was in service with the United States Navy and the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force. It first flew in 1940 and was introduced in 1942. A total of 442 CW-22s were approximately built.

The turboprop attack aircraft built for training and light combat roles.

The Embraer Super Tucano is a turboprop light attack and trainer aircraft introduced in the early 2000s. Designed for counterinsurgency and advanced training missions, it has been widely exported. The aircraft combines turboprop efficiency with modern avionics.

Easy to fly military training aircraft

The Fairchild PT-19 served with the RCAF, RAF, and United States Army Air during World War II. It was utilized by US SAAF during the Primary Flying Training towards the introductory pre-solo stage trainer for presenting new aircraft pilots to flying proper passing them onto the more agile Stearman Kaydet. PT-19 had numerous designations depending on the installed power plant.

The intermediate jet trainer built for advanced pilot instruction.

The Kawasaki T-4 is a twin-engine subsonic jet trainer developed for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Introduced in the late 1980s, it provides advanced pilot training before transition to frontline fighters. The aircraft is also used by demonstration teams.

The supersonic trainer built to prepare pilots for modern fighters.

The Lockheed Martin T-50 Golden Eagle is an advanced supersonic trainer developed in partnership with Korea Aerospace Industries. Designed to bridge the gap between basic training and frontline fighters, it incorporates modern avionics and performance characteristics. The aircraft also serves in light attack variants.

Subsonic jet trainer developed during the 1940s

The Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star was designed by Clarence Kelly Johnson and manufactured by Lockheed as an American subsonic trainer aircraft during the late 1940s. Based on the Lockheed P-80/F-80 jet fighter, the T-33 Shooting Star first flew in March 1948 and was retired in July 2017. It was produced from 1948 to 1959 with a total number of 6,557 aircraft built.

Supersonic jet trainer introduced in 1975

The Mitsubishi T-2 was developed and produced by Mitsubishi as a supersonic jet trainer in Japan. It was mainly used by the Japan Air Self Defense Force and first flew in July 1971. It entered service in 1975 and was the first domestically-built aircraft in Japan to beak the sound barrier. It was produced from 1971 to 1988 and was retired in March 2006. A total of 90 T-2s were built.

The naval jet trainer built for carrier-based pilot training.

The North American T-2 Buckeye was a twin-engine jet trainer developed for the United States Navy. Designed to introduce student aviators to jet operations and carrier procedures, it served for several decades. The aircraft bridged the gap between basic trainers and fleet aircraft.

The North American BT-14 was developed in the late 1930s as a primary trainer for the U.S. Army Air Corps. Designed to bridge the gap between elementary trainers and more advanced types, it featured improved performance. The aircraft served in the years leading up to World War II.

North American BT-14 — basic military trainerThe BT-14 first flew in 1935 and entered service shortly thereafter. It featured a low-wing configuration with retractable landing gear, a step forward for training aircraft of the era. The design prepared student pilots for more complex military types.A radial piston engine producing approximately 400 horsepower powered the BT-14. Cruise speed exceeded 150 knots (278 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight was around 4,500 pounds (2,041 kg), consistent with its two-seat layout and training mission.The BT-14 formed an important link in the U.S. pilot training pipeline before the outbreak of World War II. Although later overshadowed by newer trainers, it played a key developmental role in military aviation training programs.

First trainer aircraft of North American Aviation

The North American NA-16 was the first trainer developed and produced by North American Aviation and pioneered the line of trainer aircraft of the manufacturing company. In April 1935, the aircraft first flew and served in the United States Army Air Corps, as well as the Royal Austrian Air Force, Swedish Air Force, and French Air Force.

Navy jet trainer introduced in 1959

The North American T-2 Buckeye was introduced in November 1959 as the intermediate training aircraft of the United States Navy. Its purpose was to introduce student naval aviators and naval flight officers of the USN and United States Marine Corps to jet aircraft. In 1959, the T-2 Buckeye entered into service and was retired in 2008 with the Navy.

The North American T-28 Trojan entered service in the 1950s as an advanced trainer for U.S. forces. Designed to replace earlier piston trainers, it provided higher performance and improved handling. The aircraft was later adapted for light attack roles.

North American T-28 Trojan — advanced military trainerThe T-28 first flew in 1949 and entered service in 1950. It featured a low-wing layout and tandem seating for instructor and student. The design emphasized stability while introducing pilots to higher speeds.Powered by a Wright radial engine producing approximately 1,425 horsepower in later variants, the Trojan cruised near 230 knots (426 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight exceeded 8,500 pounds (3,856 kg). Armament was added in certain counterinsurgency versions.The T-28 trained thousands of military aviators. Some variants served in combat during the Vietnam War. The aircraft remains active in civilian warbird and aerobatic communities.

Trainer aircraft developed in the 1930s

The North American T-6 Texan was designed by North American Aviation as a single-engine advanced trainer used by the United States Army Air Force, United States Navy, Royal Air Force, and some air forces of the British Commonwealth. It served during the Second World War until the 1970s.

The supersonic trainer built to prepare generations of fighter pilots.

The Northrop T-38 Talon is a twin-engine supersonic jet trainer developed for the United States Air Force. Designed in the late 1950s, it became the first supersonic trainer in the world. The aircraft has trained thousands of military pilots.

The advanced turboprop trainer built to replace older jet trainers.

The Pilatus PC-21 is an advanced turboprop trainer developed to prepare military pilots for front-line jet aircraft. Designed to reduce training costs while maintaining high performance, it integrates modern avionics and mission simulation systems. The aircraft has been adopted by several air forces worldwide.

The turboprop trainer built for efficient military pilot instruction.

The Pilatus PC-9 M is a turboprop military trainer designed for basic and intermediate pilot training. Developed from the earlier PC-7, it introduced improved aerodynamics and avionics. The aircraft has been widely exported to air forces worldwide.

The turboprop trainer built for military pilot instruction.

The Short 312 Tucano is a license-built version of the Embraer EMB-312 Tucano produced in the United Kingdom. Introduced in the late 1980s, it served as a primary trainer for the Royal Air Force. The aircraft emphasizes reliability and simplicity.

The naval jet trainer built for carrier-based instruction.

The T-45 Goshawk is a carrier-capable jet trainer developed for the United States Navy. Based on the British Hawk design, it was modified for catapult launches and arrested landings. The aircraft prepares naval aviators for carrier operations.

Training aircraft introduced in 1946

The Yakovlev Yak-11 is a trainer aircraft in service with the Soviet Air Force and other air forces influenced by the Soviets in 1947 up to 1962. Developed and manufactured by Yakovlev Design Bureau, the aircraft was introduced in 1946 and retired in 1962.

Soviet military training aircraft introduced in 1946

The Yakovlev Yak-18 is a tandem military primary trainer aircraft built by the Yakovlev design bureau in the Soviet Union. It was initially fitted with a single Shvetsov M-11FR-1 radial piston engine rated at 160 horsepower. The aircraft entered in service in 1946 and was produced as the Nanchang CJ-5 in China.

Yakovlev training aircraft introduced in 1967

The Yakovlev Yak-18T was designed and manufactured by the Yakolev design bureau as a fully aerobatic utility aircraft equipped with four to five seats. It was introduced in 1967 to train Aeroflot pilots and also became popular as a sport plane in the Soviet Union and several other countries. The Yak-18T is fitted with a Vedeneyev M14P radial engine rated at 360 to 400 horsepower.

The aerobatic trainer built for military and civilian flight schools.

The Yakovlev Yak-52 is a tandem-seat training aircraft introduced in the 1970s. Designed for primary pilot instruction and aerobatics, it features rugged construction and responsive handling. The aircraft remains popular in civilian and military flying clubs.