T-44A Pegasus
Mission
The T-44A "Pegasus" aircraft is a twin-engine, pressurized, fixed-wing monoplane whose mission is to train Navy and Marine Corps pilots.
Description
The T-44A "Pegasus" aircraft is manufactured by Beech Aircraft Corporation, Wichita, Kansas.The aircraft is used for advanced turboprop aircraft training and for intermediate E2/C2 (carrier based turboprop radar aircraft) training at the Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, Texas.The T-44 is equipped with deicing and anti-icing systems augmented by instrumentation and navigation equipment which allows flight under instrument and icing conditions.The interior includes a seating arrangement for an instructor pilot (right seat), a student pilot (left seat), and a second student.Two additional passenger seats are included.A distinguishing feature of the aircraft is the avionics fault insertion capabilities afforded the instructor pilot from the right-seat armrest and the second student/observer audio control panel that allows the second student to monitor all radio communications.The T-44A is powered by two 550 shaft horsepower PT6A-34B turboprop engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney of Canada.
Specifications
Primary Function: Training platform for Navy/Marine Corps pilots.
Contractor: Beechcraft
Propulsion: two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT-6A-34B 550 hp engines
Length: 35 feet 6 inches
Height: 14 feet 3 inches
Wingspan: 50 feet 3 inches
Airspeed maximum: 245 knots
Ceiling: 31,300 feet.
Range: 1,300 nautical miles
Armament: None
Program Office Description
PMA-273 was chartered to develop a rigorous, diverse, carrier-capable Naval Flight Training System where student pilots and Undergraduate Military Flight Officers (UMFOs) acquire mission-critical aviation skills necessary to carry out current and future missions of the United States Navy.
The acquisition, development and maintenance of seven trainer aircraft fall under the purview of the PMA for its customer, the Chief of Naval Aviation Training (CNATRA). Those aircraft are: T-45, T-6/JPATS, T-44, T-34, TC-12, TH-57, and T-39, as well as the UMFO program. These aircraft and programs also include related simulator suites, academic materials, computer-based training integration systems, and contractor logistics support.
Point of Contact
Naval Air Systems Command
PEO(T) Public Affairs Officer
47123 Buse Road, Bldg 2272, Rm 454
Patuxent River, MD 20670-1547
(301) 757-7178 or (301) 757-7171
Program Manager