CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The future of naval aviation landed on the runaway at NAS-Corpus Christi Thursday afternoon. The T-54 is the Navy’s brand new training plane, two of the models are already parked at the air station right beside the old T-44’s. Officials told 3NEWS this T-54 is not only newer, but it’s bigger, faster and better equipped than the old trainer.
Kerry Bistline is the Titles Commander of the METS Fixed Wing Training Program. 3NEWS asked him how the plane handled after his flight from Wichita, Kansas back to the Air Station.
“It handled pretty well at 28,000 feet at about 180 knots indicated,” Bistline said. “It’s got an extended range compared to the T-44. It’s a lot faster cruise and the pressure control is really nice so it was a smooth ride.”
This training program is going to have 25 of the new planes for pilots to train on …
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