I haven’t been up in a T-37. I had to choose between the two and I’m afraid the newcomer won.
One thing that may be a bit telltale of its abilities is this: I saw some students pilots walking around without G-suits…I was told that they aren’t worn and weren’t necessary in the tweet. I’m not sure if I believe that, if you pull “G”s…and the Cessna can, you need them.
I pull;ed 4.5 Gs…the IP said they could do 6.5 or 9.5…I forget…I was kind of busy.
The IP said the cockpit noise level was comparable…though different. On the ground nobody misses the Cessnas “dog whistle” sound. People living near the base will be thrilled.
My IP said control response between the two was basically similar…but the T-6 burned about 1/3 less fuel.
The T-6 has a glass cockpit…the 37s haven’t been updated (though they could have been) so the Texan has the edge in prepping students for modern combat aircraft.
Something I found interesting…and probably should have known but I’ve never flown a turbine before…the PT-6 engine runs at a constant speed, to vary the aircraft speed you move the throttle which changes the pitch of the props..not the engine speed.
One IP (not mine) told my photographer that he loves the T-6 but he doesn’t think the airframes will last as long as the venerable Cessnas.
If you “thunk” a 37 with your fist it sounds solid, the T-6 sounds more like a heavy general aviation (like a King Air) plane.
I’ll stay out of the chocolate debate…but to my Swiss friends…(I’ve met most of their CAF squadron members)…I’ll say “Hi” and I love my Breitling!
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