31 March 2026
Flight testing of a new twin engine aircraft, the AT-6 Twin PSE, is progressing in Mielec, Poland.
The flight test programme is expected to finish by November 2026. The aim is to validate performance, safety and operational efficiency.
The AT-6 Twin PSE has been developed by a team led by aircraft designer Tomasz Antoniewski, known for the earlier Aero AT-3 and AT-4 aircraft widely used by flight schools and private pilots. Work on the twin-engine design began in 2012, and restarted in 2022 after funding support from the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development.
The aircraft is a new-generation, four-seat light twin, targeting both domestic and international training markets. The PSE name reflects three core design priorities: Performance, Safety, and Economy. It’s thought to be the first twin-engine aircraft with an integrated ballistic parachute rescue system (BRS).
Cockpit of the AT-6
The all-metal aircraft is powered by two Rotax 915 engines, each producing 141 horsepower, with plans to upgrade to the more powerful Rotax 916 units delivering 160 horsepower. The enhanced power is expected to improve short-field performance and align the aircraft with emerging requirements in the U.S. Light Sport Aircraft category, which now includes certain twin-engine designs.
In parallel, developers have explored hybrid propulsion concepts, combining combustion engines with electric motors mounted on the propeller shaft. While still at the study stage, this approach could support future efficiency and emissions goals.
The aircraft has distinctive three-surface aerodynamics, with a forward-mounted tailplane alongside a conventional rear tail. This design is said to optimise stability, reduce drag and expand the centre-of-gravity envelope.
Engineer Antoniewski highlighted the use of advanced aluminium forming techniques, which allow the aircraft to achieve aerodynamic characteristics comparable to composite structures while maintaining lower weight.
