| CT-134 Musketeer | |
|---|---|
 CT-134 in 1980 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Basic trainer |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Beech Aircraft Corporation |
| Primary user | Canadian Armed Forces |
| Number built | 48 |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 1971 |
| Retired | 1992 |
| Developed from | Beechcraft Musketeer |
TheBeechcraft CT-134 Musketeer is a military training derivative of theMusketeer built byBeechcraft for theCanadian Armed Forces. The CT-134 was a single engine, low-wing, four-seatlight aircraft with fixedlanding gear and a limitedaerobatic capability.
In the early 1960s, theRoyal Canadian Air Force’s standard elementary training aircraft was thede Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk. Flight instruction was completed by student pilots on the DHC-1 before they progressed to the then-brand-newCanadair CT-114 Tutor jet trainer. A decision was made by RCAF HQ to remove the DHC-1s from service and not replace them, as it was felt that the CT-114 was easy enough to fly that initial training was not needed. The CT-114 quickly developed a failure rate of near 95% amongst student jet pilots and it was clear that an elementary trainer was needed. Due to the RCAF's previous customer relationship with Beechcraft while operating that company'sExpeditor twin-engine aircraft, a hasty purchase of twenty-four B23 Musketeers was made in 1971.[1] The first CT-134 arrived atCFB Portage la Prairie on March 23, 1971.[2]
The new trainers were designatedCT-134 Musketeer in the thenCanadian Armed Forces. The aircraft purchased were standard Model B23s equipped with the O-360-A4G engine of 180 hp (130 kW), modified by the addition of a cowlingstrake,horizontal stabilizer strake and ventral fin to improve spin recovery performance. They were initially serial numbered as 13401-13424, but were re-numbered 134001-134024 to avoid confusion with other CF aircraft serial numbers.[1]
The initial batch of CT-134s was replaced in late 1981 with a purchase of twenty-four more aircraft. These were 1982 model Beechcraft C23 Sundowners and were designated by the CF asCT-134A Musketeer II. These were numbered 134025-134048.[1]
The CT-134 was approved for limited aerobatics, including loops, rolls,chandelles andlazy eights.[3]
Both batches of Musketeers served with3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School and theCanadian Forces Flying Instructor School at CFB Portage la PrairieManitoba and theCanadian Forces Central Flying School, inWinnipeg, until they were replaced bySlingsby Fireflys operated under contract byBombardier Aerospace in 1992. During their 21 years of service, the CT-134 and CT-134A fleet at 3 CFFTS trained about 5,000 Canadian military pilot graduates.
In operational service, the CT-134 suffered very few accidents. One of the few serious accidents occurred on 23 March 1990 when Musketeer 134229 had an engine failure on take-off fromErickson Municipal Airport atErickson, Manitoba, while giving familiarization flights toRoyal Canadian Air Cadets. The accident was caused byfuel starvation and the aircraft was written off.[4]
Maintenance of the CT-134 fleet was primarily carried out by the CFB Portage la Prairie Base Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Organization, with Depot Level Inspection and Repair (DLIR) being conducted by Field Aviation atCalgary International Airport inCalgary,Alberta.[4]
Upon retirement, the CT-134s and CT-134As were not sold for flying use due to the structural problems they all suffered from years of aerobatics.[5] Instead, they were donated to museums or used for air force and civil maintenance training. Some CT-134s still serve as monuments at a few current and formerCanadian Forces Bases as well asRoyal Canadian Legion halls, a distinction held by very few light aircraft in this class.[1]
In Canadian military service, the aircraft was referred to by student and instructor pilots by the nicknameMuskrat.[1]
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1982-83[7]
General characteristics
Performance
Avionics
Standard instrument fit with radios and navigation equipment such as VOR/LOC
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
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