Chinese Trainer Aircraft (JL-8, JL-9, JL-10 (L-15), etc.)

FireyCross

New Member
Registered Member
Hi all,
Just wondered if there's any good sources for news on the CJ-7 single engine trainer project? Seems to have gone very quiet after the first test flights.
Thanks :)
 

plawolf

Lieutenant General
There is no detail information on the nymber of JL9 in service, but we can use information from Huitong's Chinese Military Aviation to deduct a conservative minimum numbers.

The followings are the regiment/brigade/aviation university fleet serial numbers, assuming they operate 8 aircraft each (conservative minimum) :-
83X71 83X5X 78X2X 78X4X
4X8X 1X3X 3X2X 2X4X 1X1X

9 rejiment or brigade x 8 aircraft = 72 (assuming 8 aircraft per regiment/brigade etc)

If you go for the high end number of 24 aircraft per regiment/brigade, the number would be 9 X 24 = 216 aircraft.

However, some training regiment have a mixed fleet of JL9 and JJ7, so the real number is probably around 100 to 150 aircraft.

I would say the numbers are very likely to be significantly higher.

On top of dedicated training regiments, I have observed frequent mixed formations of J10+JL9 launches and see JL9s parted at dual use airports that also host J11s; so it looks like frontline units are also using them. Probably for a mix of generally increased stick time for pilots while limited wear and tear on frontline aircraft as well as DACT.
 

FireyCross

New Member
Registered Member
I think it was cancelled!?

I did wonder as much but never found any conclusive info. Thanks for that. Shame as a new turboprop would be good for a more modern trainer and could make a good Super Tucano analogue for light combat / COIN type tasks, and a good simple offering for export to developing markets that could use some air cover but don't have much in the way of on the ground technical resources, nor much money to play with - thinking of places like Timor Leste, South Sudan etc.
 

by78

General
A rare sight: a JL-10 pilot wearing NVG.

51475915522_25d3ef616e_o.jpg
 
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