Greece Takes Delivery of First Raytheon
Turboprop Trainers

Closely following the initial deliveries of Raytheon T-6 Texans to the U.S. Air Force and T-6A-1 Harvard IIs to the Canadian Armed Forces, Greece last week received the first of 45 of the tandem-seat turboprops to transform its military pilot training process. Lt. Gen. Dmitrios Vidakis, Commander of Hellenic Air Force training, received the first machine from Raytheon CEO Hansel Tookes in Wichita this past Monday.

Confusingly, the Greek aircraft revert to the title used during the USAF/Navy JPATS competition: Beech/Pilatus PC-9 Mk II. While the first 25 are in similar configuration to the T-6A and will be used for the initial 100 hours of Greek instruction, the balance will follow in GNT (Greek New Trainer) guise, including provision for light armament to be used in the more advanced stages of the syllabus. All are to be based at Kalamata, where a full complement will have been received by 2003.

Meanwhile, Randolph AFB in Texas is building up as the first T-6A Texan school in the U.S. armed forces, training its instructors in preparation for the arrival of first students. Next comes Laughlin AFB, then the first U.S. Navy flying school, at Corpus Christi.

By Paul Jackson