In 1964, the US Air Force (USAF) decided to use the off-the-shelf Cessna 172F as a lead-in aircraft for student pilots rather than starting them out in the
T-37 jet aircraft. The USAF ordered 237 T-41As from
Cessna. The first USAF class (67-A) of students began training on the T-41 from the civilian airport in
Big Spring, Texas, in August 1965.[1][2]
The T-41B was the US Army version, with a 210 hp (160 kW)
Continental IO-360 engine and constant-speed propeller in place of the 145 hp (108 kW)
Continental O-300 and 7654 fixed-pitch propeller used in the 172 and the T-41A.[3][4][5]
In 1968, the USAF acquired 52 of the more powerful T-41Cs, which used 210 hp (160 kW) Continental IO-360 and a fixed-pitch climb propeller, for use at the
Air Force Academy in
Colorado Springs.[1][2]
In 1996, the aircraft were further upgraded to the T-41D, which included an upgrade in
avionics[1] and to a constant-speed propeller.
Beginning in 1993, the USAF replaced many of the T-41 fleet with the
Slingsby T-3A Firefly for the flight-screening role, and for
aerobatic training, which was outside the design capabilities of the T-41. The T-3A fleet was indefinitely grounded in 1997 and scrapped in 2006 following a series of fatal accidents at the US Air Force Academy.[2][6]
The USAF now trains all its prospective pilots and
combat systems officers through a civilian contract with
DOSS Aviation known as initial military flight screening, which makes use of the
Diamond DA20. This program is conducted for USAF line officer accession programs (e.g.,
USAFA,
AFROTC, and
OTS), with said training taking place after these officers have been commissioned as second lieutenants. It is also conducted for USAF officers at the first lieutenant and captain level selected for flight training after an assignment as a non-aeronautically rated officer.[7]
Four T-41s remain at the Air Force Academy for the USAFA Flying Team, as well as to support certain academic classes.[8]
A number of air forces, including
Saudi Arabia and
Singapore, purchased various civilian models of the Cessna 172 for use in military training, transport, and liaison roles. While similar to the T-41, these aircraft were not T-41s and were powered by the standard 172 powerplants available in the model year purchased. These included the 145 hp (108 kW) Continental O-300 in pre-1968 aircraft and the 150 and 160 hp (120 kW)
Lycoming O-320 in later 172s.[3]
Variants
T-41A
United States Air Force version of the Cessna 172F for undergraduate pilot training, powered by 145 hp Continental O-300,[3] 211 built
T-41B
United States Army version of the Cessna R172E for training and liaison duties, powered by 210 hp
Continental IO-360,[4] 255 built[5]
T-41C
A version of the T-41B for use by the USAF Academy, powered by 210 hp Continental IO-360,[4] 52 built
T-41D
A version of the T-41B for export under the Military Aid Program with 28 V electrical system and simplified equipment, powered by 210 hp Continental IO-360,[4] 238 built, first T-41D delivered to the
Philippine Air Force in 1968[9]
65-5226 – T-41 on static display at
Randolph Air Force Base,
Universal City, Texas. It is on display in park area adjacent to Randolph Inn Visiting Officers Quarters (VOQ) / Distinguished Visiting Officers Quarters (DVOQ) along with other historical
ATC and
AETC aircraft.[26]
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abcdefghTaylor, John: Jane's Pocket Book of Military Transport and Training Aircraft, page 67. Macmillan Publishing Inc., 1974. Library of Congress 73-15288