First flight second prototype Brave Eagle

On 25 December 2020, the second prototype of Taiwan's newly manufactured advanced jet training aircraft, the Aerospace Industrial Development Corp (AIDC) T-5 (AT-5) Yung Ying (“Brave Eagle”), serial 11002/09-9002, took to the air for its maiden flight at Ching Chuan Kang Air Force Base.

The first prototype of the new Advanced Jet Trainer, serial 11001/08-9001, flew for the first time on 10 June 2020.

The second prototype was accompanied by AIDC F-CK-1D Ching-Kuo 1601/81-8005. After the completion of the 15-minute test flight, they safely returned to the base and landed.

The follow-up test and evaluation work of the two prototypes will be until September 2021. After the planned tests have been completed, Hanxiang Aviation Industry will start production in November 2021 with limited scale production. Full scale production will start in March 2023 and the delivery of 66 AT-5s is expected to be completed by June 2026.

Photos: H C Ho, kindly provided by Hsinchu Aerial Photography Development Association