Mission

The T-44C Pegasus aircraft is the Navy's advanced training aircraft for multi-engine turbo-prop pilot training. 

Description

The T-44 aircraft is a twin-engine, pressurized, Beech King Air B90 manufactured by Beech Aircraft Corporation, Wichita, Kansas. The aircraft is used for advanced turboprop aircraft training at the Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, Texas. The aircraft is equipped with auto-pilot and anti-icing systems. The interior includes a seating arrangement for an instructor pilot (right seat), a student pilot (left seat), along with seating for up to three passengers. The aircraft is configured to allow a second student/observer to monitor all radio communications through an audio control panel that is installed in the aircraft cabin. The T-44 is powered by two 550 shaft horsepower (shp) PT6A-34B turboprop engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney of Canada. The aircraft is maintained by contractor logistics support via a competitively awarded maintenance contract. The program is in post-production with major avionics and wiring modifications in-work. 

Specifications

Primary function: Multi-engine aircraft trainer
Contractor: Beechcraft
Date Deployed: First operational flight, April 1977
Propulsion: Two Pratt & Whitney PT-6A-34B engines; 550 shp each
Length: 35 feet 6 inches (10.82 meters)
Height: 14 feet 3 inches (4.34 meters)
Wingspan: 50 feet 3 inches (15.32 meters)
Weight: empty: 6,246 pounds (2,833 kg); maximum takeoff: 9,650 pounds (4,377 kg)
Airspeed: Max 245 knots; 281.94 miles per hour (453.74 km per hour)
Ceiling: 31,300 feet
Range: Max 1,300 nautical miles (2,407.6 km)
Crew: Three (instructor pilot, two student pilots)
Armament: None