Pilatus PC-9 Trainer
The Pilatus PC-9 is a single-engine, low-wing tandem-seat turboprop training aircraft manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland. Designed as a more powerful evolution of the Pilatus PC-7, the PC-9’s first flight was made in May 1984 after which certification was achieved in September 1985. After this, the first production orders for the type were received from the Royal Saudi Air Force, with deliveries commencing in 1985. Since then, more than 250 airframes have been produced across five different variants and the type is employed by a number of military and civilian operators around the world, including the Swiss Air Force, the Croatian Air Force, and the Royal Thai Air Force.
The first production aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) flew on 19 May 1987, under the Australian designation PC-9/A.
Condor of Germany uses 10 examples of the target-towing variant.
In August 2015, Pilatus received a contract to deliver nine PC-9Ms to the Royal Jordanian Air Force, but in April 2016 changed the order to eight PC-21s. Deliveries were due to start in January 2017 under the original deal.[1]
The United States Army operated three PC-9s from 1991–1996 as chase and test aircraft, they eventually were sold to Slovenia in 1995
Role | Basic/Advanced Trainer aircraft |
---|---|
National origin | Switzerland |
Manufacturer | Pilatus Aircraft Hawker de Havilland |
First flight | 7 May 1984 |
Status | Active service |
Primary users | Swiss Air Force Slovenian Air Force and Air Defence Royal Saudi Air Force Royal Thai Air Force |
Produced | 1984–present |
Number built | 265 |
Developed from | Pilatus PC-7 |
Developed into | T-6 Texan II |
RAAF PC-9 operated by 2FTS
General characteristics
A view of the interior of the cockpit of a Pilatus PC-9 aircraft.
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
The company was established on 10 December 1939 by the armament company Oerlikon-Bührle, and construction of a new production building started in March 1940. The company was formed to do maintenance and repairs for the Swiss Air Force, the first work of the new company was assembly of EKW C-35 reconnaissance biplanes from spare parts, and overhaul work on other types