NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Dryden's mission support T-34C aircraft accompanies research flights for photography and video data collection, and also as safety chase. At Dryden, the T-34C is primarily used for chasing remotely piloted unmanned air vehicles which fly slower than NASA's F-18's mission support aircraft can fly. It is also used for required pilot proficiency flying.

Image right: Dryden's mission support aircraft, Beech T-34C #865, flies over Lake Isabella in Kern County during a recent flight.

In its role as a military trainer, the instructor pilot would ride in the back seat, while the student would be in the front seat. As a NASA mission support chase plane, the back seat would be occupied by a photographer or flight test engineer on research missions.

Nicknamed the TurboMentor, the T-34C is an upgraded, turboprop-powered version of the earlier piston-engined T-34A and T-34B models that served as primary training aircraft for Navy and Marine Corps pilots for more than 40 years. Built by Beech Aircraft Co. (now Raytheon Aircraft), the T-34C shares the same basic wing planform and landing gear as the civilian Beechcraft Bonanza series of general aviation aircraft from which it was derived.

Points of Contact

Lawrence R. Davis
Director for Flight Operations
661.276.2204
Lawrence.R.Davis@nasa.gov

Michael P. Thomson
Deputy Director for Flight Operations
661.276.3097
Michael.P.Thomson@nasa.gov

Mariaelena A. Nichols
Flight Operations Business Analyst
661.276.3099
Mariaelena.A.Nichols@nasa.gov

For Industry Inquiries
661-276-3100
Ask.DFRC@dfrc.nasa.gov

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