WONZ 254 – Airtrainer At 50

Guests: Alan Thoresen and Owen ‘OJ’ Jones

Host: Dave Homewood

Recorded: 27th of February 2022

Released: 3rd of March 2022

Duration: 1 hour 7 minutes 54 seconds

In this episode, to mark 50 years since the first flight, Dave Homewood talks with Alan Thoresen and Owen Jones about their memories of working on the team the built the original AESL CT/4 Airtrainer Prototype ZK-DGY. The Airtrainer prototype was designed and built by Aero Engine Services Ltd (AESL) at Hamilton Airport, New Zealand, utilising some components from the previously constructed Victa CT/2 Aircruiser, but with much new design of the structure to bring the aircraft up to fully aerobatic military standard. The design team was led by Pat Monk, and the result was a brilliant military trainer that served with several of the world’s Air Forces. It first flew on the 23rd of February 1972.

The Airtrainer went into production in 1973 after a new company, New Zealand Aerospace Industries (NZAI), was formed from the merger of AESL and Air Parts (NZ) Ltd., to create a production line. The aircraft went on to serve with the Royal Thai Air Force, the Royal Australian Air Force, the Royal New Zealand Air Force, the Royal Thai Police, the Papua New Guinea Defence Force, the Singapore Youth Flying Club, Ansett and BAE Systems.

The guys talk about subsequent design developments, and interesting flights. The CT/2Aircruiser and the Airtourer line also get coverage.

Many also remain flying in private hands in Australia and New Zealand,including the prototype itself, ZK-DGY, which is owned and flown by a New Zealand Warbirds Association syndicate, and based at Ardmore, Auckland, New Zealand.