Canada built this trainer just to tutor its jet pilots

Over their long history of aviation, Canadian engineers have designed a number of highly performant planes and have built other greats under license. Canada has long operated advanced aircraft, notably the CF-18, a modified version of the F/A-18 Hornet. But that doesn't even scratch the surface of Canada's capabilities when it comes to aircraft.

Outside of a few failed projects, like the Avro Arrow, Canadair has produced versions of the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, North American F-86 Sabre, and Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter for the Canadian military. But some of its other planes, like the CP-107 Argus maritime patrol aircraft, proved to be as good, if not better, than contemporaries.

The CT-114 Tutor gave Canada nearly four decades of service as a jet trainer.

(Photo by Ahunt)

One such plane is the CT-114 Tutor, a jet trainer that still hangs around Canada as part of a demonstration team. While it looks a little like the T-37 Tweet and A-37 Dragonfly, there is a big difference: The CT-114 uses a single, license-built J85 engine as opposed to the two of the T-37. It also outperformed the Tweet, posting a top speed of 488 miles per hour (63 mph faster) and a 944-mile range (a dozen miles further).

The CT-114 served with Canada for nearly four decades, receiving upgrades along the way to remain modern and effective. Not only was this airframe used to train jet pilots, it was also used by the Snowbirds aerial demonstration team. The Canadians replaced the Tutor with versions of the T-6 Texan II and the British Aerospace Hawk trainer, but the Snowbirds plan to stick with the Tutor until as late as 2035.

A CT-114 was modified as a test jet to support Canada's production of the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter.

(Rene Francillon Photo Archive)

Like the T-37, a ground-attack version of the CT-114 was designed. Malaysia bought 20 of these planes, which served for 18 years within two squadrons. Those planes were eventually replaced by A-4 Skyhawks.

Learn more about this trainer from our northern neighbor in the video below!