Canadair CT-114 Tutor

Canadair started design of a jet trainer in 1958, the first flight being in January 1960. The Tutor has side-by-side seating and a single turbojet engine built by Orenda Engines in Canada.

The Tutor was built in two versions between 1963 and 1967; 190 CL-41As for the RCAF and 20 CL-41Gs for the Royal Malaysian Air Force. With the Canadian Armed Forces the Tutor is designated CT-114. It was used from 1963 until 2000 when it was replaced with the CT-156 Harvard II and the CT-155 Hawk as primary jet trainers.

Controls and systems of the Tutor are relatively simple with hydraulic power to the landing gear, flaps and nosewheel steering, and manual flying controls. The cabin is pressurized and ejection seats are fitted. It is fully equipped for navigation, instrument and night flying training.

The Tutor is best known in North America for the formation aerobatics of the Snowbird team who have performed from the Northwest Territories to Mexico. Officially known as 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, the team have fifteen Tutors, eleven of which travel with the team during the airshow season.

The Museum’s Tutor was used in the Snowbird team in the mid-70s. It has been refinished in the colours of Snowbird pilot Captain Miles Selby who was tragically killed while flying a Tutor in December 2004. It is a fitting memorial to Capt Selby, and to all the men and women who have flown the CT-114. The Tutor was acquired from Crown Assets in 2005 and transported from Ontario by Museum members.

In this photo: CMF's 114003 is seen in the #4 position of the iconic 9-ship line abreast formation.

Technical Details:

Serial: 26003, 114003

Manufactured: Canadair, 1964

Engine: Orenda J-85 CAN-40 turbojet with 2,950 lbs thrust

Max Speed: 486 mph (782 km/h)

Service Ceiling: 42,200 ft (12,863 m)

Range: 940 miles (1,563 km)

Empty weight: 4,895 lb (2,220 kg)

Gross weight: 7,397 lb (3,335 kg)

Span: 36 ft 6 in (11.1 m)

Length: 32 ft 0 in (9.7 m)

Height: 9 ft 4 in (2.8 m)

Wing area: 220 sq ft (20.4 sq m)

(Photo credit: RCAF.com, this page Jim Larsen)

Fun fact:
The front wheel on the Tutor has some 'wings' on either side. These are designed to deflect excess water to the side upon takeoff rather than allowing it to go directly into the engine air intake. This helps prevent engine stalls upon takeoff. Rather important!

Fun Fact:

Under the left wing, in the wheelwell, is a switch. This allows the ground crew to open the inner wheel well doors for service or maintainence. If the pilot forgets to check that the switch is in the Closed position, the inner wheel well doors will stay open during flight! This causes an incredible amount of noise, turbulence and embarrasment. The pilot will probably be buying beers for the next few months at the local bar!