Our Aircraft
Fairchild PT-26 Cornell
TYPE: PRIMARY TRAINERENGINE: RANGER L-440CREW: 2 TANDEM
Where Every Pilot Started
Every World War II pilot’s story began in a primary trainer. The Fairchild PT-19 family, including the closed-canopy PT-26 Cornell, taught tens of thousands of Allied cadets the fundamentals of flight before they ever saw a fighter or bomber.
The PT-26 was built for the Commonwealth training program, where its sliding canopy protected Royal Canadian Air Force cadets from harsh winters. Simple, stable, and honest, the Cornell was designed to turn students into aviators. It still does the job today.
The Hawaii Wing flies its own PT-26 Cornell, N49071. We keep it in the air and in front of the public, here in the Pacific.
| Registration | N49071 |
|---|---|
| Role | WWII primary trainer |
| Manufacturer | Fairchild Aircraft |
| First flight | 1941 (PT-19 family, 1939) |
| Engine | Ranger L-440 inline six, 200 hp |
| Wingspan | 36 ft 0 in |
| Length | 27 ft 8 in |
| Maximum speed | 126 mph |
| Cruise speed | 110 mph |
| Service ceiling | 13,200 ft |
| Range | 400 miles |
| Crew | Two, in tandem (student and instructor) |
| Production | 6,000+ across the PT-19/23/26 family |
Gallery
The Cornell in Photos
