The Royal New Zealand Air Force’s first two Beechcraft T-6C Texan IIs arrived at RNZAF Base Ohakea

Photo - Beechcraft News Room

The Royal New Zealand Air Force’s first two new pilot training aircraft, the Beechcraft T-6C Texan II will arrive at their new home, RNZAF Base Ohakea.They are the first of 11 aircraft that will be used as the new pilot training aircraft from 2016, replacing the current CT-4E Airtrainers.

The Secretary of Defence, Helene Quilter, and Pilot Officer (PLTOFF) Nicole Brooke, a trainee pilot representing the next generation of Air Force pilots, were the first passengers in the new aircraft from Whenuapai to Ohakea, the final leg of their journey from Kansas in the United States.The aircraft are being delivered by the manufacturer Beechcraft Defence Systems and will be formally handed over to the RNZAF on 31 October after the completion of maintenance training in New Zealand and pilot conversion courses in the United States.