# Basler BT-67

The Basler BT-67 is a utility aircraft produced by Basler Turbo Conversions of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It is a remanufactured and modified Douglas C-47 Skytrain / Douglas DC-3; the modifications are designed to significantly extend the DC-3's serviceable lifetime.

## Design and development

Basler Turbo Conversions was founded in 1990 solely focused on converting existing C-47/DC-3 airframes into the BT-67. Basler configures each new build to the client's specifications. Industries served include cargo, military, cloudseeding, and scientific research. The conversion includes fitting the airframe with new Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67R turboprop engines, lengthening the fuselage, strengthening the airframe, upgrading the avionics, and making modifications to the wing leading edges and wingtips.
Due to the higher fuel consumption of the turbine engines of the BT-67, compared to the original piston designs fitted to the standard DC-3, range on the standard fuel tank, with 45 minute reserve, is reduced from 1,160 to 950 nautical miles (2,150 to 1,760 km). Basler provides a long-range fuel tank which increases the aircraft range to 2,140 nmi (3,960 km).

### Gunship version

The Basler BT-67 has a gunship version used by the Colombian Aerospace Force as of 2017 for counterinsurgency operations. The Colombian gunships are equipped with a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) ball, enabling the aircraft to conduct effective nighttime missions.

## Operators
### Military
#### Colombia

* Colombian Aerospace Force
* National Police of Colombia

#### El Salvador

* Salvadoran Air Force

#### Guatemala

* Guatemalan Air Force

#### Mali

* Malian Air Force

#### Mauritania

* Islamic Air Force of Mauritania

#### Thailand

* Royal Thai Air Force

### Civilian
#### Australia

* Australian Antarctic DivisionA BT-67 operated by Enterprise Aviation Group at Oshawa Executive Airport

#### Canada

* ALCI Aviation
* North Star Air
* Kenn Borek Air

#### China

* Polar Research Institute of China

#### Germany

* Alfred Wegener Institute

#### United Kingdom

* Bell Geospace

#### United States

* United States Forest Service

## Future operators
### Argentina

* Argentine Air Force:
On 18 April 2024, the State Department approved a possible sale of BT-67s intended for the Argentinian Air Force with an estimated cost of $143 million, with the main contractor being Basler Turbo Conversions.

## Accidents and incidents

As of 2019, a total of 15 BT-67 aircraft have been involved in crashes or other incidents since the 1990s.

## Specifications (BT-67)

Data from Born Again Basler and Jane's Civil and Military Aircraft Upgrades 1994–95
General characteristics
* Crew: Two (pilot & co-pilot)
* Capacity: 38 Passengers
* Length: 67 ft 9 in (20.65 m)
* Wingspan: 95 ft 0 in (28.95 m)
* Height: 16 ft 11 in (5.15 m)
* Empty weight: 15,700 lb (7,121 kg)
* Max takeoff weight: 28,750 lb (13,041 kg)
* Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67R turboprop engines, 1,281 shp (955 kW) each
* Propellers: 5-bladed Hartzell constant speed propellers, 9 ft 7 in (2.92 m) diameter
Performance
* Maximum speed: 285 kn (328 mph, 528 km/h)
* Cruise speed: 210 kn (240 mph, 390 km/h)
* Range: 2,140 nmi (2,460 mi, 3,960 km) with 45 minute reserve and long-range fuel tank
* Service ceiling: 25,000 ft (7,600 m)