Colombian Air Force selects T-6 Texan training aircraft

On 20 October 2020, the Fuerza Aérea Colombiana (FAC, Colombian Air Force) officially reported that they have selected the Beechcraft T-6C Texan II as their new advanced training aircraft. However, the number of aircraft involved was not reported.

The Texans will be operated by the Marco Fidel Suarez Military Aviation School (EMAVI) (Spanish: Escuela Militar de Aviación "Marco Fidel Suarez") in Calí.

According to defensa.com, the new training aircraft will replace the Cessna T-37B "Tweet" which is already in use since 1969 as the advanced training aircraft. So all basic and advanced training will be located at one airfield.

According to the Scramble Magazine Air Order of Battle for the Colombian Air Force, the T-37B Tweets are operated by the Escuadrón de Combate 116 at Palanquero.

It is expected that the T-6C Texan IIs will be starting operations in March 2021.

For basic training, Colombia ordered Cessna 172s to replace the ageing Cessna T-41D Mescalero, which is in service since October 1968.

Photos: defensa.com and Wim Sonneveld