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Nanchang CJ-6


Basic Flight Trainer


China | 1960



"Since introduction in 1960, the Chinese-originated Nanchang CJ-6 basic trainer has gone on to see production surpass 2,000 units."

Flag of Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 09/29/2023 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The CJ-6 is a Chinese Cold War-era single-engine, tandem-seat basic flight trainer aircraft that has been manufactured by the Nanchang Aircraft Factory since 1958. Operational service began in 1960 and has resulted in over 2,000 airframes completed to date (2023). The type continues to see operation with global Chinese allies, from Albania and Bangladesh to Tanzania and Zambia, though the primary series operator remains the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) of China.

The aircraft utilizes a basic form with a low-set straight monoplane wing arrangement, traditional single-rudder tail unit, and retractable wheeled undercarriage. The engine is housed in the nose assembly in the usual way and drives a twin-bladed propeller unit. The student and instructor are seated inline, aft of the engine over midships, under a lightly-framed canopy with individual sliding covers.

The aircraft first appeared in the "CJ-6" form with a Zhuzhou Huosai HS-6 series radial piston engine of 260 horsepower. This was followed by the improved "CJ-6A" variant which introduced the ZH HS-6A engine of 285 horsepower offering better performance. Both the CJ-6 and CJ-6A models were exported under the "BT-6" designation with the CJ-6A also exported as the "PT-6A".

The CJ-6A model has an overall length of 27.8 feet with a span of 33.5 feet and a height of 10.9 feet. Empty weight is 2,415lb against an MTOW of 3,085. The HS-6A air-cooled radial of 286 horsepower drives a two-bladed propeller at the nose and the aircraft to speeds of 190 miles-per-hour out to a range of 430 miles and a ceiling up to 20,510 feet.

The "CJ-6B" followed as a border enforcement / patrol platform and switched to the ZH HS-6D radial piston engine of 300 horsepower. The "Haiyan A" designated a prototype appearing in 1985 and the "Haiyan B" was an agricultural spraying platform flying with an HS-6 engine of 345 horsepower. The "Haiyan C" then completed the lineup and was marketed as both a General Aviation (GA) aircraft and an agricultural sprayer.

Armed versions of the CJ-6 have been fitted with a pair of 7.62mm machine guns and a pair of hardpoints for bombs and rockets for Close-Air Support (CAS) work.

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Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Nanchang CJ-6A Basic Flight Trainer.
1 x Zhouzhou Housai (SMPMC) HS-6A air-cooled radial piston engine developing 285 horsepower and driving a two-bladed propeller unit at the nose.
Propulsion
230 mph
370 kph | 200 kts
Max Speed
21,325 ft
6,500 m | 4 miles
Service Ceiling
435 miles
700 km | 378 nm
Operational Range
Structure
The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the Nanchang CJ-6A Basic Flight Trainer.
2
(MANNED)
Crew
27.7 ft
8.45 m
O/A Length
33.6 ft
(10.25 m)
O/A Width
10.8 ft
(3.30 m)
O/A Height
2,425 lb
(1,100 kg)
Empty Weight
3,086 lb
(1,400 kg)
MTOW
Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Nanchang CJ-6 family line.
CJ-6 - Base Series Designation; two-seat version; powered by Zhuzhou housai HS-6 radial engine of 260 horsepower.
CJ-6A - Improved CJ-6 model with Zhuzhou Housai HS-6A radial engine of 285 horsepower.
CJ-6B - Limited production, twin-seat version for border security role; fitted with Zhuzhou Housai HS-6D radial engine of 300 horsepower.
BT-6 - Export CJ-6/CJ-6A models.
PT-6A - Export CJ-6A model.
Haiyan-A (Haiyan-Petrel) - Prototype of 1985.
Haiyan-B - Agricultural industry model.
Haiyan-C - General Aviation (GA) market model.
Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Nanchang CJ-6. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.

Total Production: 2,005 Units
Contractor(s): Nanchang Aircraft Factory (Hongdu) - China
National flag of Albania National flag of Bangladesh National flag of China National flag of Ecuador National flag of North Korea National flag of Sri Lanka National flag of Tanzania National flag of Zambia

[ Albania; Bangladesh; Cambodia; China; Ecuador; Laos; North Korea; Sri Lanka; Tanzania; Zambia ]
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Image of the Nanchang CJ-6
Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
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Image of the Nanchang CJ-6
Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
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Image of the Nanchang CJ-6
Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
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Image of the Nanchang CJ-6
Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.

Going Further...
The Nanchang CJ-6 Basic Flight Trainer appears in the following collections:
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