T-3A Firefly

USAF photo by TSgt. Fernando Serna

Mission
The T-3A Firefly is a propeller driven aircraft used by the U.S. Air Force's Air Education and Training Command to screen pilot candidates by exposing them to military style traffic patterns, aerobatics, and spins. It replaced the T-41 aircraft which is incapable of performing these maneuvers. It also teaches students takeoffs and landings, stalls, slow flight, ground operations, and mission planning.

Characteristics
Primary Function: Primary screener in specialized undergraduate pilot training
Contractor: Slingsby Aviation Ltd., and Northrop Worldwide Aircraft Services, Inc.
Power Plant: One Textron Lycoming Ltd. AEIO-540-D4A5 engine
Thrust: 260 horsepower, each engine
Length: 24 feet, 9 inches (7.5 meters)
Height: 7 feet, 9 inches (2.3 meters)
Wingspan: 34 feet, 9 inches (10.6 meters)
Speed: 155 miles per hour (Mach 0.21)
Ceiling: 19,000 feet (5,790 meters)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 2,550 pounds (1,159 kilograms)
Armament: None
Range: 352 miles (305.89 nautical miles)
Unit Cost: $295,000
Crew: Two (student pilot and instructor pilot)
Date Deployed: February 1994
Inventory: Active force = 112; National Guard = 0; Reserve = 0

ALL INFORMATION IS FROM THE U.S. AIR FORCE WEBSITE