Black with silver roundels and markings
Where do people get the idea this is 14 Sqns reincarnated? That was a claim put forward by the idiot moderator on Wings Over NZ. At present there is no evidence for that and this is not an operational squadron.It was fairly obvious from the chevrons (is that the right word?) surrounding the roundel on the model in the US embassy photos were from 14 Sqn - they wouldn't 'get away with' that unless the squadron was being reformed.Black with silver roundels and markings
and it not nice to see name calling on this well behaved forum ...You would have to be pretty selective in your definition of a military trainer aircraft for that to be true - particularly when you haven't delivered a military trainer aircraft for at least 10 years!
I have to admit, when I see the pic's I just want to bolt a gun pod under the centreline. Perhaps it's more from a marketing perspective at air show recruitment drives then a practical light attack deployment in the field but it's hard to resist the image.
Very nice picture.
Especially when you blow it up. May just have to repaint the one in the flt sim now. 
Cadre Dave explained a while back that a domestic JTAC capability was not a goer. We are now able to train with the real world - real time assets that we would be using in actual combat since we have come in from the cold post the Washington - Wellington Declaration.
Yep. That would have to be the most amateurish whinge from an aircraft manufacturer ever. They have zero credibility and with this come across as totally unprofessional. Such statements and behaviour will not go unnoticed in Defence circles when due diligence is done - if they ever try this on again.
It's the media stating that they are replacing the King Airs. This is like a hangi missing a couple of vital ingredients - the pork and the kumara. No self respecting hangi leaves those two out.
Lets deal with the King Airs first. But first NZDF serial number allocation needs to be explained:Back in June 2012 the lease with Pacific Aeromotive for the five King Air B200s expired. These aircraft numbers were NZ1881 - 1885. The new lease is with Hawker Pacific for four King Air B200s serial numbers NZ7121 - 24 in which Hawker Pacific made some mods to supplement the factory standard advanced Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite and Pratt & Whitney PT6 turboprop engines. RNZAF leases four King Air B200s for training and transport - 10/17/2012 - Flight Global The main point here is that the Hawker Pacific aircraft were given a transport type number (71) rather than the primary trainers / utility types (18) that the Pacific Aeromotive aircraft carried. This signifies a change in the aircraft role. Now this lease may roll over it may not.
NZG should get Winston Peters to do their negotiations for them. He'd probably get at least another 2 NH90s, a refund of most of the full purchase price plus a seat on the board for himself.
Yes I'm pretty sure it’s just semantics in that the T6C will replace the B200 specifically in the APT role, but not the MEPT role. The RNZAF will always need dedicated MEPT as it cannot afford to train pilots on ME using frontline heavies that are (1) too expensive to operate in that role & (2) scarce as hen’s teeth!
It also begs the question as to what happens with PTS & CFS. Both entities will remain in some administrative form as their roles both remain critical (perhaps PTS will be renamed 'Pilot Training School'!?!).
The aircraft serial type is important because it denotes the aircrafts prime role. Secondly, CFS & PTS have been an important part of the RNZAF training structure for probably 70 years, so if they are disestablishing them and concentrating all pilot training within 14 Sqn, then that is a major philosophical and structural change within the RNZAF training systems. There is multi use of aircraft within the RNZAF ergo B200, but one cannot do MEPT on a single engined aircraft. Buying a second hand civilian aircraft is not the ideal solution either. I strongly believe there is still more to be announced. I do note that the USAF & USN use the T6 for an inito through to advanced pilot training.
It was not just training aircraft we bought. It was a whole training system including curriculum and simulators. A whole new way of doing things.
Yes the sims and computer training aids are new, but the curriculum wasn't bought. That is being changed by the RNZAF. It still doesn't address the main query being made by myself regarding MEPT. A lot can be done in the simulator but the trainees still have to have real world experience and hours to qualify. Can't do that in a single engined aircraft or a rotary wing for fixed wing aircraft. No matter how much you rework the curriculum that real time / life experience in a multiengine fixed wing aircraft is paramount for the trainees.
Yes true, VERY different times ahead, and very exciting! Can't wait to see the new look Red Checkers! It's a great all-round package that they've gone for, it's a credit to the RNZAF & MinDef that they clearly have the experience within to establish that there's more than just a good aircraft that makes up a mature training package.
I think we're all agreed the article may have give the impression that the B200 will go - it won't, or at least not without replacement. The MEPT role is NOT going to be done on the T6.