In this series of profiles, we take a close look at Ascent’s fleet of training aircraft, in use at our sites across the UK, and the work they carry out for the UK’s Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS).
Textron T1 Texan
The Beechcraft Texan T-6C, known as the Texan T Mk1 in the RAF, has been in use by UKMFTS since 2019.
Those destined for Fast Jet aircraft, such as the RAF’s Eurofighter Typhoon (FGR4) or the F-35B Lightning II, receive instruction on the Texan for Basic Flying Training (BFT) at RAF Valley in Anglesey, before moving on to the Hawk T2. It has a versatile design for various levels of instruction.
There are 14 x Texan aircraft in the UKMFTS fleet, flying a total of 16,000 training hours as of January 2026.
Through our Agile Fast Jet Transformation programme, we are extracting the maximum capacity out of our Fast Jet Training at RAF Valley. This includes multi-year, multi-million-pound investment in the upgrade of the simulators on both the Hawk and Texan training aircraft, alongside new course designs and courseware.
“The Texan T1 is easy to fly, but challenging to fly well. It provides an amazing platform to catapult our trainees onto the Hawk T2.”
BFT Chief Pilot
Statistics
- Single-engine turboprop
- Length: 33ft 4in (10.16m)
- Height: 10ft 8in (3.25m)
- Wingspan: 33ft 5in (10.2m)
- Wing area: 175.30 sq ft (16.28m2)
- Max take-off weight: 6,900lb (3,130kg)
- Max speed 316 knots (585km/h)
- Max altitude: 31,000ft
