Pilot Training - Historic Training Aircraft

This small section of the training course is in place for historical and technical reasons only. Training aircraft of all types where produced in large numbers and played a vital role in the development of WWII air power - even if none of them did take part in any "action". However, the availability of this type of aircraft in sufficient numbers made it possible to provide the air forces of the time with the required number of pilots to continue the war effort. It would be of real benefit to have at least a few of them properly represented in a simulation. Preferrably in their intended role as dual control trainers.

In this sense this small corner in the Air Fronts web site is a salute to the planes, their builders, the pilots and students flying them and to the surviving aircraft still giving faithful service to their respective owners.

Section I: Primary Trainers - US AAC/AAF

1. General.--The following paragraphs include descriptive data and essential information as to the operating characteristics of Air Corps primary training type airplanes (figures 12, 13, and 14),

2. Stearman, PT-13, PT-17, and PT-18 (figure 12).-a. General-(1) The PT-13, PT-17, and PT-18 series airplanes are two-place biplanes with fabric covered steel fuselages, fixed type landing gears, and hydraulic brakes.

(2)  Wings are conventional wood and fabric construction.

(3) The fuel tank, containing the entire fuel supply (approximately 46 gallons), is located in the center section, and the fuel is gravity fed, through an on-off fuel cock, to the carburetor.

(4) Description and dimensions:

 (5)   The oil system is conventional with one tank of a capacity of 4.4 gallons of oil.

(6)     PT-13A, PT-13B, PT-17, and PT-18 airplanes are equipped with blind flying hoods.

(7) The following maneuvers are prohibited: Inverted flight. Inverted spin. Outside loop. Snap roll at more than 106 mph indicated. Slow roll at more than 124 mph indicated, Air speed in excess of 186 mph indicated.

b. PT-13. -- (1) The PT-13 airplane is poweredwith an R-680-5 air-cooled engine rated at 215 hp at 2,100 rpm at sea level. Maximum allowable flight rpm is 2,100; cruising rpm is 1,780.

(2) Fuel consumption at 1,780 rpm is 12.6 gallons per hour .

(3) Cruising air speed is 104.4 mph.

b. PT-13A.--(1) The PT-13A airplane is powered with an R-680-7 engine rated at 220 hp at 2,100 rpm at sea level. Maximum allowable flight rpm is 2,100; cruising rpm is 1,780.

(2) Fuel consumption at 1,780 rpm is 12.6 gallons per hour (approximately).

(3) Cruising air speed is 103 mph.

d. PT-13B.--(1) The PT-13B airplane is powered with an R-680-11 engine rated at 220 hp at 2,100 rpm at sea level. Operating speed is 103.1 mph at 1,785

(2) Fuel consumption at 1,785 rpm is 11.57 gallons per hour.

e. PT-17.--The PT-17 airplane is powered with an R-670-5 engine rated at 220 hp at 2,075 rpm at sea level. Maximum allowable flight rpm is 2,075. Technical Order 01-70AB-11 states that these planes will be cruised at 1,800 rpm. No data are available on fuel consumption at that rpm.

f. PT-18.--(1) The PT-18 airplane is powered with an R-755-7 engine rated at 225 hp at 2,000 rpm. Maximum allowable flight rpm is 2,000. Operating speed is 105 mph at 1,750 rpm.

(2)  Fuel consumption at 1,750 rpm is 11.2 gallons per hour.

3. Fairchild PT-19 and PT-19A (fig. 13).--a. The PT-19 and PT-19A airplanes are two-place, tandem, low-wing monoplanes with fabric covered steel fuselage, plywood covered wings, plywood covered stabilizers and fixed type landing gear. The wings are equipped with trailing edge flaps of the split type.

b. Two fuel tanks in the wing center section at each side of the fuselage contain the fuel supply of 45 gallons. An engine-driven fuel pump and a hand operated wobble pump are provided.

c. The capacity of the oil tank is 4.1 gallons.

d. Description and dimensions:

(1) Maneuvers prohibited: Inverted flight for protracted periods. Inverted spins. Outside air speed in excess of 220 mph. Indicated air speed in excess of 220 mph.

(2) In executing rolls, for best results snap rolls should not be started at less than 90 mph indicated, or slow rolls at less than 130 mph indicated.

f. These airplanes are powered with an L-440-1 air-cooled type engine rated at 175 hp at 2,450 rpm at sea level. Maximum flight rpm at full throttle and 23 inch absolute manifold pressure is 2,600.

g. Operating consumption at operating speed is 9.6 gallons per hour.

4. Ryan, PT-16A, PT-20, PT-20A, PT-21, and PT-22 (figure 14) .--a. (1) The PT-20 and PT-20A airplane is a two-plac.e, low-wing monoplane. The fuselage is of semimonocoque construction with longerons used in conjunction with stressed skin (the skin is heavy gage alclad sheet, 24ST).

(2)     Wire braced fabric covered wings are used with fabric covered flaps and ailerons.

(3) The fuel tank, 24-gallon capacity, is mounted immediately behind the fire wall. An engine driven fuel pump and hand operated wobble pump are incorporated in the fuel system.

(4)     Capacity of the oil tank is 2 gallons for the PT-20 and 3 gallons for the PT-20A.

b.      Description and dimensions:

(1)     P T- 20.

(2)     PT-20A.

c. Flight limitations on the PT-20 (PT-20A not available) are as follows: Maneuvers prohibited: Inverted flight. Inverted spin. Outside loop. Snap roll at more than 105 mph indicated. Slow rolls at more than 120 mph indicated. Spin of more than three revolutions. Air speed in excess of 198 mph indicated.

d. (1) The PT-20 airplane is powered with a Menasco air cooled four-in-line engine rated at 125 hp at 2,175 rpm at sea level. Maximum allowable rpm in flight is 2,175. Engine should not be operated at full throttle on the ground. Cruising rpm 1,950 with fuel consumption of 7 3/4 gallons per hour.

(2) No data are available on the PT-20A except that it is equipped with an R-440-1 or -3 air cooled engine.

e.  The PT-21 airplane is similar to the PT-20A in construction.

(1) Dimensions:

(2) This airplane is powered with a Kinner R-440-1 or -3 air cooled engine. No operating data are available.

f.  No data are available on the PT-16A or PT-22 airplane.