Start here
A few places to begin, from the aircraft’s story to the people who fly it.
Meet the aircraft
The CT/4 Airtrainer places instructor and student beside one another under a broad canopy. The CT/4E uses a 300 hp Lycoming engine and a three-blade propeller, combining powered flight training with aerobatic capability. VSKYLABS represents the CT/4E in X-Plane. Its published feature list describes a native aircraft model, analog cockpit and support for desktop and VR flying.
Aircraft background
VSKYLABS · Read more ↗The simulated CT/4E
VSKYLABS represents the CT/4E with a 300 hp Lycoming engine and three-blade propeller. Separate X-Plane 11 and 12 products use a native aircraft model and support desktop and VR flying.
CT/4E Airtrainer · VSKYLABS · X-Plane 11 · X-Plane 12
VSKYLABS · Read more ↗Into the cockpit
YouTube Historical Aviation Film Unit · 3 min ·
Pacific Aerospace CT/4 Airtrainer Display
A civilian-operated former trainer performs a CT/4 display.
Real aircraft · Pacific Aerospace CT/4 Airtrainer
Watch on YouTube ↗Preview images are served by AirframeDB. Videos open on YouTube only when you choose to watch.
Meet Pacific Aerospace CT/4 Airtrainer
The CT/4 Airtrainer places instructor and student beside one another under a broad canopy. The CT/4E uses a 300 hp Lycoming engine and a three-blade propeller, combining powered flight training with aerobatic capability.
VSKYLABS represents the CT/4E in X-Plane. Its published feature list describes a native aircraft model, analog cockpit and support for desktop and VR flying.
Pacific Aerospace CT/4 Airtrainer
Pacific Aerospace → · Explore the family →
Pacific Aerospace CT/4 Airtrainer
VSKYLABS · VSKYLABS Aerospace Simulations Aircraft Center: VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot': CT/4E Airtrainer ↗CT/4E
VSKYLABS · VSKYLABS Aerospace Simulations Aircraft Center: VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot': CT/4E Airtrainer ↗VSKYLABS · X-Plane 11 · X-Plane 12 →Aircraft type designators
Use the code for the model you are flying. The linked authority lists the applicable aircraft.
History & design
A touring design becomes an aerobatic trainer
AESL adapted the four-seat Victa Aircruiser to meet a military basic-training requirement. Structural reinforcement for aerobatic loads, revised seating and a jettisonable canopy made the CT/4 more than a cosmetic derivative. The first Airtrainer flew in February 1972.
NZAero · CT/4 development history ↗CT/4 family history and CT/4E simulator configuration
The E model revives the programme
After several production interruptions, the CT/4E was developed during the early 1990s for a hoped-for American contract. That contract did not follow, but a 1996 arrangement to lease 13 CT/4Es to the RNZAF restarted production. Further E-model orders followed from Thailand.
NZAero · CT/4 development history ↗CT/4 family history and CT/4E simulator configuration
Systems & details
The 300 hp version
The VSKYLABS model represents the E, with its 300 hp Lycoming and three-bladed propeller. Side-by-side seating and fixed tricycle gear support the training role, while the airframe is intended for aerobatics as well as instrument and visual flying. Earlier CT/4 variants should not inherit the E’s engine specification.
In your simulator
Systems, equipment and documentation for each developer’s aircraft.
X-Plane 11 · X-Plane 12CT/4E Airtrainer
VSKYLABS · Released
CT/4E Airtrainer
VSKYLABS · Released
Manuals & resources
Find your next read
Choose a topic for a short introduction and a link to the original source. Simulator references identify the developer and edition they cover.
Simulator documentation
The simulated CT/4ECT/4E Airtrainer · VSKYLABS · X-Plane 11 · X-Plane 12
VSKYLABS represents the CT/4E with a 300 hp Lycoming engine and three-blade propeller. Separate X-Plane 11 and 12 products use a native aircraft model and support desktop and VR flying.
Official developer / designated-store reference · checked 2026-09-14
VSKYLABS · Read the source ↗Read the original documentation from the people who created it. Manuals open on their publisher’s website.
Developer documentation
VSKYLABS Aerospace Simulations Aircraft Center: VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot': CT/4E AirtrainerVSKYLABS · Official developer / designated-store reference · checked 2026-09-14 VSKYLABS CT/4E Airtrainer add-on for X-Plane Flight Simulator.VSKYLABS · Official developer / designated-store reference · checked 2026-09-14Type designator
ICAO Doc 8643 — aircraft type designatorsInternational Civil Aviation Organization · Public search data retrieved 2026-09-14; authority update 2026-09-03Aircraft documentation
CT/4 development historyNZAero · Manufacturer history from Aircruiser adaptation to CT/4E productionBuilt-in force-feedback profiles
Read the documentary basis, editable starting settings and remaining questions for the aircraft you fly. Each explanation refers to the exact profile revision shown.
Catalogue programme-20261022-v1 · 2 profile choices
VSKYLABS PAC CT/4E Airtrainer
VSKYLABS · Free and Pro · Revision 3 · Inherited starting point
X-Plane 12
VSKYLABS PAC CT/4E Airtrainer: Reversible linkage motivates aerodynamic stick resistance.
Pacific Aerospace CT/4 Airtrainer
Free and Pro · Revision 1 · Partial review
X-Plane 12 · X-Plane 11
Pacific Aerospace CT/4 Airtrainer: Reversible linkage motivates aerodynamic stick resistance.
Pacific Aerospace CT/4 Airtrainer
Pacific Aerospace CT/4 Airtrainer: Reversible linkage motivates aerodynamic stick resistance.
Aircraft and simulator scope
- Pacific Aerospace CT/4 Airtrainer · X-Plane 12 · family starting point
- Pacific Aerospace CT/4 Airtrainer · X-Plane 11 · family starting point
Pacific Aerospace CT/4 Airtrainer · Family sources identify only the variants and product versions described above.
The simulator model and controls
The CT/4 Airtrainer places instructor and student beside one another under a broad canopy. The CT/4E uses a 300 hp Lycoming engine and a three-blade propeller, combining powered flight training with aerobatic capability.
This starting point selects Pacific Aerospace CT/4 Airtrainer. Its aircraft-level settings do not select a particular developer’s custom systems.
How this profile feels
Reversible linkage motivates aerodynamic stick resistance. Spring resistance builds with the selected airspeed response. A separate aerodynamic term adds speed-dependent control load.
Electric pitch trim supports relief; fixed aileron tabs do not provide roll trim. Valid trim provides the configured pressure relief. Autopilot following is off.
Controls and trim
The CT4E uses elevator/aileron pushrods and rudder cables. Electric pitch and rudder trim are separate from fixed aileron tabs. Its fixed tricycle gear, continuous electric flaps and stall horn complete the documented trainer configuration.
About the values
The gains are normalized profile settings. They describe the chosen effect balance; hand force depends on the device and its output limits. IAS references are tuning values rather than operating limits. Physical acceptance of this revision remains pending.
What the documentation establishes
Recovered VSKYLABS source identifies CT/4E and separate XP11/XP12 products.
Developer identifies fixed tricycle gear, 300 HP Lycoming and three-blade propeller.
Documentary review and sources
These decisions describe the documentary basis and remaining gaps for this revision. Aircraft documentation and a starting setting describe different kinds of evidence.
Aircraft and variant
ReviewedThis starting point selects Pacific Aerospace CT/4 Airtrainer. Its aircraft-level settings do not select a particular developer’s custom systems.
Flight controls
Not yet reviewedThe CT4E uses elevator/aileron pushrods and rudder cables. Electric pitch and rudder trim are separate from fixed aileron tabs. Its fixed tricycle gear, continuous electric flaps and stall horn complete the documented trainer configuration.
Trim
Not yet reviewedElectric pitch trim supports relief; fixed aileron tabs do not provide roll trim. Pitch authority 0.3 provides load relief and permitted centre movement; roll authority is 0.
Autopilot and stability
Not yet reviewedAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel.
Equipment
ReviewedGear, flap and ground cues follow the selected settings and available simulator-reported states.
Speeds and limits
Not yet reviewedThe indicated-speed references set the profile response scale; they are separate from aircraft operating limits.
Simulator integration
Not yet reviewedThe profile targets xplane12, xplane11. Add-on-specific controls use only the supported references configured by this profile.
Force-feedback settings
Not yet reviewedThe settings define the profile’s effect balance. Device output limits affect physical hand force.
Starting settings and their rationale
These configured values are starting estimates. The explanations describe what each setting controls; physical validation appears separately below.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring strength | Starting value0.74 | What it controls and whyReversible linkage motivates aerodynamic stick resistance. The baseline spring is 0.74. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 57.5 KIAS. |
| Master force gain | Starting value0.85 | What it controls and whyScales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits. |
| Profile force gain | Starting value0.8 | What it controls and whyThe aerodynamic-load gain is 0.8 with an indicated-speed reference of 115 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring. |
| Force tuning speed/reference | Starting value115.0 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
| Spring response reference speed | Starting value57.5 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
| Aileron force scale | Starting value0.72 | What it controls and whyRoll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.72 and 1, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled. |
| Elevator force scale | Starting value1.0 | What it controls and whyScales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Trim feel | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyRetained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement. |
| Trim relief | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| Autopilot follow | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel. |
| Autopilot neutral hold | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target. |
| Output force limit | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whyCaps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate. |
All 44 starting settings and their rationale
The settings define the profile’s effect balance. Device output limits affect physical hand force.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring strength | Starting value0.74 | What it controls and whyReversible linkage motivates aerodynamic stick resistance. The baseline spring is 0.74. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 57.5 KIAS. |
| Spring deadband | Starting value0.045 | What it controls and whySets travel around the centre before the baseline spring resists. Smaller values engage it sooner. |
| Profile force gain | Starting value0.8 | What it controls and whyThe aerodynamic-load gain is 0.8 with an indicated-speed reference of 115 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring. |
| Master force gain | Starting value0.85 | What it controls and whyScales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits. |
| QBlend Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows baseline spring strength to rise with indicated airspeed where the control law permits it. |
| QSpring Minimum Factor | Starting value0.5 | What it controls and whySets low-speed spring strength as a fraction of baseline when blending is enabled. One keeps full strength. |
| QSpring Start Knots | Starting value16.1 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed spring blend starts rising. This is a feel threshold, not a flight limit. |
| Spring response reference speed | Starting value57.5 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
| Force tuning speed/reference | Starting value115.0 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
| Airspeed spring stiffening gain | Starting value0.15 | What it controls and whyThe high-speed spring-stiffening gain is 0.15. It strengthens the permitted spring response above 57.5 KIAS, with the squared-speed ratio capped at 5. |
| Airspeed spring stiffening limit | Starting value5 | What it controls and whyLimits the squared airspeed ratio used for high-speed spring stiffening; it is not a device-force cap. |
| Aileron force scale | Starting value0.72 | What it controls and whyRoll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.72 and 1, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled. |
| Elevator force scale | Starting value1.0 | What it controls and whyScales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Output force limit | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whyCaps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate. |
| Trim feel | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyRetained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement. |
| Trim relief | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| Elevator Authority | Starting value0.3 | What it controls and whyElectric pitch trim supports relief; fixed aileron tabs do not provide roll trim. Pitch authority 0.3 provides load relief and permitted centre movement; roll authority is 0. |
| Aileron Authority | Starting value0 | What it controls and whyScales supported roll-trim relief and permitted centre movement. Zero removes roll response. |
| Force Trim Enabled | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyEnables local force trim, separate from aircraft-owned trim and add-on integration qualification. |
| GLoad Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows load-factor changes to modify permitted spring laws. Passive fly-by-wire feel can suppress it. |
| Rate Damping Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables rate damping with the configured coefficients and control law. |
| Autopilot follow | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel. |
| Autopilot follow authority | Starting value0.1 | What it controls and whySets admitted AP-follow gain, not a percentage of travel. Runtime ownership and input limits still apply. |
| Autopilot neutral hold | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target. |
| Autopilot neutral hold strength | Starting value0.6 | What it controls and whySets admitted AP neutral-hold strength; inactive while neutral hold is disabled. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables aerodynamic cues; each still needs nonzero strength and its simulator conditions. |
| Gain | Starting value0.35 | What it controls and whySets stall-buffet strength. Zero removes the cue without changing simulator stalls or warnings. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets high-Mach buffet strength; onset and full-strength thresholds are separate. |
| Gain | Starting value0.14 | What it controls and whySets flap buffet at the configured position and speed gates. Flap movement texture is separate. |
| Maximum flap index | Starting value3 | What it controls and whySets the final flap index for detent normalization. UP plus three detents uses maximum index3. |
| Minimum flap index | Starting value2 | What it controls and whySets the first flap detent that admits buffet; this is a handle index, not degrees. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets gear aerodynamic buffet; movement and ground-contact cues are separate. |
| Shaker Enabled | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits shaker at supported warning conditions; the switch does not establish aircraft equipment. |
| Stick shaker amplitude | Starting value0.5 | What it controls and whySets triggered shaker strength; inactive while the shaker feature is disabled. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables ground effects; each still needs its own strength and contact or motion telemetry. |
| Gain | Starting value0.4 | What it controls and whySets rolling texture strength, modified by speed, surface and undercarriage configuration. |
| Gain | Starting value0.25 | What it controls and whySets gear-bump texture during ground motion, separate from touchdown impact. |
| Gain | Starting value0.65 | What it controls and whySets landing-impact strength; landing telemetry and response shape determine the pulse. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets reverse-thrust vibration with valid reverser and engine conditions. Zero removes the cue. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables engine cues with nonzero settings and valid running-engine telemetry. |
| Gain | Starting value0.12 | What it controls and whySets estimated engine vibration using configured telemetry and response, not measured cockpit vibration. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables accessory cues with configured strengths and observed accessory movement. |
| Gain | Starting value0.12 | What it controls and whySets texture from observed flap movement; a command without movement does not establish the cue. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets texture from observed gear movement, separate from aerodynamic and touchdown effects. |
Limits and open questions
- Trainer/aerobatic role does not establish control gearing.
- CT/4E trim mechanism/authority was not established.
- Follow is off; no fitted servo installation was established.
- No CT/4E IAS force schedule was established.
- Developer native-system claims are not populated-signal acceptance.
- Aerobatic role does not imply flapless or tailwheel equipment; strengths remain estimates.
Physical validation
No physical force validation is recorded in this public catalogue for this revision. Documentary review and software checks do not establish how a particular device feels.
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