91-08 T-43A The T-43A is a medium-range jet aircraft used in the Air Force's navigator training program. It is equipped with modern navigation and communications equipment to train navigators for strategic and tactical aircraft operations. Employment/Description Air Training Command uses the majority of the T-43A trainers in navigator training at Mather Air Force Base, Calif., where the Air Force also trains Navy and Marine navigators. The Air National Guard also uses T-43As. Those with the Colorado ANG at Buckley Air National Guard Base, Colo., are used for the U.S. Air Force Academy's airmanship program and to provide Air Force team-travel service. Description The T-43A is the Air Force version of the Boeing 737 transport. One jet engine is mounted under each wing. The exterior differences between the military and commercial aircraft include the addition of many small blade-type antennas, sextant ports, a wire antenna for high-frequency radio and fewer windows. The aircraft has considerably more training capability than the plane it replaced, the T-29C. Inside each T-43A are 19 stations -- 12 for navigation students, four for proficiency training and three for instructors. The student training compartment is equipped with advanced avionics gear identical to that of Air Force operational aircraft. Navigation equipment controlled from the training compartment includes: attitude heading reference system; Doppler radar; combined altitude radar altimeter; inertial navigation system; LORAN; navigation computer; periscopic sextants; search radar; and, TACAN and VOR navigation systems. C-9D compass heading reference is displayed at each student and maximum proficiency station on bearing distance heading indicators. Air data system information is displayed in the form of Mach/true airspeed, static temperature and pressure altitude. History The first of 19 T-43As ordered was delivered to the Air Force at Mather Air Force Base in September 1973. Production ended in July 1974 and the T2D29C trainer was phased out by late 1975. Specifications Primary Function: Navigator trainer. Prime Contractor: The Boeing Co. Power Plant/Manufacturer: Two Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9A engines Thrust: 14,500 lb. each engine. Speed: 535 mph. at 35,000 ft. Dimensions: Wingspan 93 ft., length 100 ft., height 37 ft. Range: 2,995 miles. Maximum Takeoff Weight: 115,000 lb. Status: Operational. Supersedes USAF Fact Sheet 86-54 Local Reproduction Authorized June 1991