Nanchang Aircraft Manufacturing Company Cj-6a

Single Piston

The Nanchang CJ-6 is a Chinese-built tandem-seat primary trainer that served as the backbone of People's Liberation Army Air Force pilot training from the late 1950s through the 1990s. Developed as a successor to the Soviet Yak-18, the CJ-6 features all-metal construction, a 285-horsepower Huosai-6A radial engine (a Chinese derivative of the Soviet Ivchenko AI-14), and fully aerobatic capability with a roll rate that made it beloved by military instructors. More than 2,000 were manufactured at Nanchang between 1958 and 1986, making it one of the most-produced trainers of the Cold War era. Following the end of the Cold War, hundreds of surplus CJ-6s found their way onto the international warbird market, particularly in North America, where they became prized for their rugged construction, low operating costs, and spirited handling. The type's wide-track landing gear and forgiving stall characteristics make it far more accessible than many WWII-era trainers, while its +7/-5g aerobatic envelope and 186-knot cruise speed provide genuine performance. The aircraft's distinctive radial engine note and bubble canopy have made it a fixture at airshows and formation flying events across the United States and Canada. In civilian service, the CJ-6 occupies a unique niche as an affordable entry point into warbird ownership and aerobatic flying. Its 267-knot never-exceed speed and 19,700-foot service ceiling exceed those of most contemporary trainers, while fuel consumption remains modest at around 15 gallons per hour. The type requires an FAA-issued Letter of Authorization for aerobatic flight due to its experimental or restricted category certification in the United States, but this has done little to dampen enthusiasm among the warbird community. SkyMeter has tracked 60 flights across 22 airframes and 20 operators, with TRESTRAIL, Sean Charles the largest observed operator.