The FT-6 is a supersonic trainer based on the F-6 fighter (Chinese version of the MiG-19). In the 1960s the PLA Air Force and Navy were equipped with F-6 and F-7 (MiG-21) fighters. At that time the primary aircraft to train pilots was the subsonic FT-5 which was not suitable for training pilots of supersonic aircraft, as a result the PLA Air Force requested a trainer for this purpose as well as to execute other double seat flying missions. The Shenyang Aircraft company designed and developed this trainer based on the prototype of the F-6. Its maiden test flight was on November 6 1970 and was later handed over to the PLA Air Force for experimental test flights in January 1972. In November 1973 the trainer was approved for production until 1986 when the last FT-6 was manufactured.