T-3A Firefly
Slingsby Aviation · United States · first flew 1993 · light aircraft
The T-3A Firefly is the US Air Force designation for Slingsby T67M260 aircraft procured for the Enhanced Flight Screener (EFS) programme at the US Air Force Academy, used to assess pilot candidates' aerobatic aptitude before undergraduate pilot training.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.57 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Low-wing composite monoplane with wide side-by-side cockpit
- 260 hp Lycoming AEIO-540 giving a longer cowling than lighter piston trainers
- Fixed tricycle undercarriage with fairings, USAF markings
Identical to the Slingsby T67M260 in all external respects. Only USAF markings and USAFA-specific colour schemes distinguish it from its British parent. The wide side-by-side cockpit and composite construction give a clean, modern appearance unusual among military piston trainers of the era.
Specifications
- The T-3A Firefly has a length of 7.57 m (25 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.59 m (35 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 246 km/h (153 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The USAF sought a modern aerobatic screening aircraft in the early 1990s and selected the Slingsby T67M260, ordering 113 aircraft designated T-3A. They entered service at the USAF Academy in Colorado Springs. The programme suffered a series of fatal accidents attributed partly to spatial disorientation and aerobatic training risk, leading to the fleet being grounded in 1997. The aircraft were subsequently transferred to foreign military sales and stored.
Variants
The T-3A is essentially the Slingsby T67M260 with US military avionics and instrumentation fit. There are no sub-variants. After USAF withdrawal, some aircraft were offered for foreign military sale.
Where you'll see it
T-3As served exclusively with the 94th Flying Training Squadron at the USAF Academy from 1993 until grounding in 1997 following multiple fatal accidents. The fleet was never reinstated and the EFS mission was eventually discontinued. Stored aircraft were later offered to foreign buyers.
Related aircraft
- T67M260 Firefly
- T67M200 Firefly
- Slingsby T67M Firefly
- Slingsby Dart 17
- Aeromot AMT-200 Super Ximango
- Alexander Schleicher ASH 25E
- Best Off Skyranger
- Cessna 526 CitationJet
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.