AIDC PL-1B Cheinshou

Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation · Taiwan · first flew 1973 · light aircraft

The AIDC PL-1B Cheinshou (meaning 'Hawk') is a licence-built and locally developed variant of the Pazmany PL-1 light trainer, manufactured in Taiwan by the Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation for the Republic of China Air Force.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, straight
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	5.99 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Taiwanese licence-built version of the Pazmany PL-1 trainer
Low-wing monoplane with fixed tricycle undercarriage
Side-by-side seating under bubble canopy

A small, neat low-wing monoplane with side-by-side seating, a bubble canopy, fixed tricycle undercarriage, and a single piston engine; very similar to the original Pazmany PL-1 design.

Specifications

The AIDC PL-1B Cheinshou has a length of 5.99 m (20 ft).
It has a wingspan of 8.56 m (28 ft).
Its maximum speed is 233 km/h (145 mph).
Typical crew: 2 (side-by-side).

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Taiwan acquired the rights to produce the Pazmany PL-1 in the late 1960s and AIDC developed the improved PL-1B with a more powerful engine and local modifications. The type served as a primary trainer and sporting aircraft, later giving rise to the more capable AT-3 jet trainer programme.

Variants

The PL-1B Cheinshou was the main Taiwanese production version; it differed from the original Pazmany PL-1 in engine, avionics fit, and structural reinforcements.

Where you'll see it

Used by the Republic of China Air Force for primary flight training through the 1970s and 1980s, with some examples also operated by flying clubs and the AIDC factory flight test organisation.

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