CT114

CT-114 refers to the Canadair Tutor jet trainer designation used by the Royal Canadian Air Force and later the Canadian Forces. It represents the CF designation for the Canadair Tutor, a two-seat, single-engine jet trainer produced by Canadair in Montreal. The CT-114 is based on the earlier CL-41 Tutor design and was developed to provide primary and basic jet training for CF pilots, with a focus on reliability and ease of maintenance.

Design and characteristics

The CT-114 is a small, all-metal, tandem-seat aircraft powered by a single turbojet engine. It features straight wings and a conventional tricycle landing gear layout. The aircraft is configured for basic and advanced jet training, offering cockpit arrangement and instrumentation appropriate for student pilots progressing to frontline jet types. It was widely used for hands-on flight training, formation flying, and aerobatic practice.

Operational history

Enteri ng service in the mid- to late-1950s, the CT-114 served as the CF’s standard jet trainer for several decades. It is best known for its association with the Snowbirds, Canada’s national demonstration team, which operated Tutor aircraft for many years and helped popularize the type both at home and on international stages. The fleet was gradually retired in the late 20th century and replaced by newer trainer aircraft, such as the CT-155 Hawk.

Operators and legacy

Primary operators were the Royal Canadian Air Force and, after unification, the Canadian Forces. The CT-114 is remembered for training generations of Canadian pilots and for contributing to the CF’s aerobatic heritage through the Snowbirds. A number of CT-114s have been preserved in museums or by private collectors, reflecting its role in Canadian aviation history.