NATO pilot training aircraft get Beechcraft support

WICHITA, Kan., March 21 (UPI) -- Beechcraft Defense is providing service support for its T-6A flight trainers used in the NATO Flying Training in Canada program.

The five-year, cost-per-flight-hour contract with CAE provides for aircraft logistics, spare parts, engineering and technical manual update support.

The contract's estimated value was not disclosed.

"We are proud to expand our relationship with CAE and the NATO Flying Training in Canada program with this new service contract," said Tom Hammoor, president, Beechcraft Defense Company. "Several of the Beechcraft T-6A aircraft in the NFTC fleet have already surpassed 10,000 flight hours and we look forward to supporting future operations to ensure their continued success in training the next generation of military pilots."

Beechcraft said 23 of its T-6A aircraft are currently in use with the NATO Flying Training in Canada program.

The T-6A Texan is a single-engine turboprop with a cruise speed of 320 miles per hour, a range of 1,036 miles and a service ceiling of 31,000 feet.