Air Education and Training Command officials expect most of the Air Force’s T-6A trainer aircraft will resume flying on Wednesday after a brief standdown of the fleet, command spokesman Capt. Jason Smith told Air Force Magazine on Tuesday. The precautionary grounding began on April 10 following indications of an engine oil line malfunction. This prompted an inspection of all 445 T-6s in the fleet to determine the follow-up actions required, said Smith. Officials expected maintainers to finalize the inspections on Tuesday, he said. All T-6As that passed inspection and didn’t require further action would immediately return to flying status, he said. “Safety of airmen is a top priority of the Air Force, and the standdown gave maintainers the opportunity to verify proper function of the oil line on every T-6A,” said Smith. AETC operates T-6s at Columbus AFB, Miss.; JBSA-Randolph, Texas; Laughlin AFB, Texas; Sheppard AFB, Texas; and Vance AFB, Okla. The Air Force uses T-6s for training students in basic flying skills common to all Air Force pilots.
Planning an Air Show Is Hard. At Andrews, It’s Even Harder
Sept. 17, 2025
Joint Base Andrews opened its flightline this month to thousands of civilians, exposing a normally restricted airbase that regularly hosts the president and foreign dignitaries to a curious public eager to see current and historic military aircraft up close and in action.