Aidc AT-3 Tzu-Chung
The AIDC AT-3 Tzu Chung is Taiwan’s first indigenous jet trainer, developed to reduce dependence on imported training aircraft. Its tandem cockpit and modest twin-jet layout prepare pilots for the Republic of China Air Force’s frontline fighters. The name honours a Chinese hero of the Ming dynasty, and the aircraft has been a familiar feature of Taiwanese military flying displays. Although small compared with modern advanced trainers, it gave Taiwan a foundation for later aerospace programmes.
Did you know?
The AT-3 is flown by Taiwan's Thunder Tiger aerobatic display team, its most visible public role beyond pilot training.
Specifications
| Length | 12.9 m (42 ft) |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 10.2 m (33 ft) |
| Height | 4.4 m (14 ft) |
| Persons on board | 2 |
| Crew | 2 |
| Maximum take-off weight | 12.7 t |
| Range | 1,200 NM (2,222 km) |
| Maximum speed | 460 kt (852 km/h) |
| Service ceiling | 45,000 ft (13,716 m) |
| Optimum ceiling | 39,000 ft (11,887 m) |
| Rate of climb | 10,000 ft/min (50.8 m/s) |
| Take-off distance | 450 m (1,476 ft) |
| Landing distance | 610 m (2,001 ft) |
| Fuel capacity | 1,270 l |
| Engines | 2x Garrett TFE731-2 |
| Units built | 62 |
Curated by CatchFlights from manufacturer documents, ICAO Doc 8643 and reference works; values are left out where no source could confirm them. Sources are listed on our credits page.
In CatchFlights
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