Modern military air services rely on many training platforms when graduating airmen from the classroom to the cockpit. From general instruction comes basic flight training and this phase is typically accomplished through the tried-and-true, prop-driven aircraft seating two (instructor and student). The KAI KT-1 "Wong-bi" is such an aircraft and is a product of local South Korean industry. A first-flight was recorded in November of 1991 and production (ongoing since 1999) has yielded over 175 examples to date (2017). Once adopted, the KT-1 became the first, wholly-designed and developed indigenous South Korean aircraft and has since been committed to by the nations of Indonesia, Peru, Senegal and Turkey in various numbers.
The KT-1 was born under the local "KTX" program of the late-1980s and the development contract was given to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). Computer-aided design was used in bringing the KTX to life and the result was a highly-conventional, all-modern basic trainer in the KT-1. The program encompassed nine total prototypes and deliveries to the South Korean Air Force followed in 2000. The service received 85 total KT-1 models and 20 KA-1 models (detailed below).
The KT-1 showcases a length of 33.7 feet with a wingspan of 34.8 feet and height of 12 feet. Its empty weight is 4,200lb against a Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of 7,300lb. Power is from a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-62 turboprop engine of 950 horsepower output driving a four-bladed propeller unit at the nose. Performance specifications include a maximum speed of 360 miles per hour, a range out to 830 miles and a service ceiling of 38,000 feet. Rate-of-climb is 3,180 feet per minute.
As designed, the KT-1 features its crew of two seated in tandem (the instructor to the rear) under a lightly-framed single-piece cockpit canopy. The cockpit is set aft of the nose assembly housing the engine. The wing mainplanes are straight appendages with clipped tips and mounted under the cockpit. Each mainplane exhibits noticeable dihedral (upward angle). The empennage is traditional, sporting a single rudder with low-set horizontal planes. The tricycle undercarriage is wholly retractable, each leg being single-wheeled.
The production run of the Woong-bi has expanded to include several notable variants: KTX-1 "Yeo-myung" was used to designate prototypes and these were powered by PWC PT6A-25A series turboprops of 550 horsepower. Then followed the production-minded KT-1 with PWC PT6A-62 engines of 960 horsepower with slightly revised tail unit. The KA-1 was developed as an advanced trainer with attack capabilities built-in and the cockpit was given Head-Up Display (HUD) as well as Multi-Function Displays (MFDs). In addition to this, five hardpoints were added for ordnance-carrying that support weaponry up to air-launched missiles.
Export models became the KT-1B, KT-1T and KT-1P meant for Indonesia, Turkey and Peru, respectively. The KA-1P is the armed export model of the Peruvian KT-1P trainer. The KT-1C is an improved, export-minded attacker with FLIR, a complete defense suite (chaff/flare dispenser) and support for gunpods, drop bombs, rockets and missiles.
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May 2020 - Senegal has taken delivery of two out of four ordered KT-1 trainer aircraft. The remaining two examples are scheduled to be delivered before the end of 2020.
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Close-Air Support (CAS)
Developed to operate in close proximity to active ground elements by way of a broad array of air-to-ground ordnance and munitions options.
✓Training (General)
Developed ability to be used as a dedicated trainer for student pilots (typically under the supervision of an instructor).
✓- Training (Advanced)
Dedicated advanced training platform for student pilots having graduated from basic flight training.
Length
33.6 ft (10.25 m)
Width/Span
34.8 ft (10.60 m)
Height
12.1 ft (3.68 m)
Empty Wgt
4,211 lb (1,910 kg)
MTOW
7,308 lb (3,315 kg)
Wgt Diff
+3,097 lb (+1,405 kg)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the KAI KT-1 production variant)
Installed:
1 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-62 turboprop engine developing 950 horsepower driving a four-bladed propeller unit at the nose.
(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the KAI KT-1 production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)
Conventional drop bombs, rocket pods, and gun pods if armed for light strike or training duties.
Supported Types
(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)
Hardpoint Mountings: 5
KTX-1 "Yeo-myung" - prototype model; Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-25A turboprop engine of 550 horsepower; six examples.
KT-1 - Basic trainer model for South Korean Air Force; PWC PT6A-62 engine of 950 horsepower; dimensionally larger than prototypes.
KA-1 - Advanced trainer with light-attack capability; Head-Up Display (HUD); MFD cockpit panels; five armament hardpoints.
KT-1B - Export model for Indonesian service
KT-1C - Improved attack export model; FLIR equipped; broadened armament support.
KT-1T - Turkish Air Force variant
KT-1P "Torito" - Peruvian Air Force trainer variant
KA-1P - Peruvian Air Force attack model
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods.
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Indonesia; Peru; Senegal; South Korea; Turkey
