NAVAL AIR STATION CORPUS CHRISTI

Air Wing Four as well as Instructor Standardization, Functional Check Flights, and course curriculum oversight in both the T-34C and the T-44A aircraft.

On April 1, 1993, VT-28's mission changed once again; this time to provide Primary/Intermediate Maritime and Heli copter instruction to Student Naval Avia tors while flying the T-34C. In the first months as CNATRA's fifth Primary Squadron, VT-28 continued to set the standard for training excellence, flying more than 20,230 mishap free flight hours and graduating more than 200 primary students and more than 100 intermediate students.

With the mission change, a new squadron patch was designed. e new patch depicts the silhouette of a Texas Ranger mounted on a rearing horse. Flying over the Ranger is an aircraft leaving a patriotic contrail. is patch symbolizes the proud tradition of VT-28's nickname and radio call sign, "Ranger," as well as the pride the squadron possesses for its new mission and its country.

T-34C "Turbo Mentor"

e primary aircraft flown by both Squadron Twenty-Seven and Squadron Twenty-Eight is the T-34C "Turbo Mentor." Developed in 1950’s as primary trainer for both the United States Navy and Air Force, the T-34 is used to instruct student pilots in basic flying skills. e original aircraft was designated as the T-34B and was used from 1955 to 1976. In 1978, the turbo-prop version of the T-34 entered service with the Navy.

Built by Beechcraft Inc., the T-34C "Turbo Mentor" utilizes a turbo-prop engine manufactured by Pratt & Whitney Aircraft of Canada (Model PT6A-25) large turbo-prop engine combined with a light airframe to produce flying qualities similar to, but safer than, those of military jet aircraft. e T-34 is an unpressurized, two-place tandem cockpit aircraft. It is used as the primary stage training aircraft for all Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard pilots as well as pilots from numerous other foreign countries.