New Zealand Innovation Celebrated as Australia Marks 50 Years of CT-4 Airtrainer
The aviation industry is paying tribute to one of New Zealand’s greatest engineering success stories as Australia celebrates the 50th anniversary of the CT-4 Airtrainer. The locally designed aircraft has trained thousands of pilots across the world and remains a symbol of Kiwi craftsmanship and ingenuity.
A Kiwi Design that Took Flight Globally
Born in Hamilton in the early 1970s, the CT-4 became a cornerstone of military flight training throughout the Asia-Pacific. More than 150 units were built and operated by air forces in New Zealand, Australia, Thailand and Singapore while others were tested by countries such as the United Kingdom, United States, Israel and South Africa. The Royal Thai Air Force has flown the aircraft continuously since 1973 making it one of the longest-serving trainer aircraft still in operation.
Over five decades the CT-4 has generated millions of dollars in export earnings for New Zealand and continues to be manufactured and serviced at NZAero’s Hamilton base, the same site where it was first designed. Earlier this year the company signed a multimillion-dollar technology deal with the Royal Thai Air Force to modernise its fleet. The agreement includes digital avionics and system upgrades that will see aircraft from the early 2000s retrofitted to serve another generation of pilots.
Australia’s Aviation Industry Tribute to a New Zealand Success Story
The Australian aviation community will recognise the milestone with a commemorative event at Tamworth Airport from October 17 to 19, hosted by the Airtourer Association. The site was once home to the BAE Ansett flying school where generations of pilots trained using the CT-4B. The celebration will feature a mass flypast, historic tours and the unveiling of a brass plaque by Tamworth Mayor Russell Webb marking half a century of the CT-4’s role in flight training.
The story has appeared in Australia’s Channel Nine and Waikato Times reflecting the shared pride across both nations in the legacy of this aircraft.
Engineering Excellence That Endures
NZAero CEO Stephen Burrows says the CT-4 stands as a lasting example of how New Zealand’s aviation industry can compete on the world stage. “For fifty years this aircraft has introduced thousands of pilots to flight. Its simplicity, aerobatic performance and reliability have made it a trusted training platform for air forces and aviation schools around the world.”
He notes that the CT-4 has a prestigious history of pilots. “The late King of Thailand personally owned CT-4 serial number two while the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Red Checkers team used the aircraft as their display aircraft for more than 30 years,” says Burrows. “The CT-4’s story represents one of New Zealand’s greatest export achievements in aviation engineering, continuing to inspire new designs from the same Hamilton factory that started it all.”
A Design Ahead of Its Time
The CT-4 was purpose-built for intensive flight instruction, a key reason for its lasting reputation. It featured a jettisonable canopy to enable safe emergency exits along with side-by-side seating and dual controls making it ideal for pilot training. The aircraft could withstand +6G and -3G manoeuvres and was equipped with an inverted oil and fuel system for sustained aerobatic flight. Its tricycle undercarriage improved stability and its all-aluminium frame made maintenance straightforward and durable, features that cemented its status in the aviation industry as a dependable trainer.
Looking to the Future
Since its first flight in 1972 the CT-4 has evolved through several generations from the early CT-4A to the 300-horsepower CT-4E. Now the next-generation CT-4G is in development featuring Garmin digital avionics and advanced safety systems ensuring that New Zealand’s aviation expertise continues to evolve alongside global training needs.
As one of the top PR agencies new zealand businesses turn to for aviation, manufacturing and technology communications, Impact PR helps clients tell stories that celebrate Kiwi innovation and heritage. This milestone serves as a reminder that New Zealand’s contribution to the aviation industry continues to soar.
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Learn more about global pilot training developments through the Royal Australian Air Force.