Pilatus PC-7

The Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer, a low-wing mono-plane with a tandem seating cockpit, is a basic training aircraft manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland.

The PC-7 is capable of performing all functions of basic training including aerobatics, instrument, tactical and night flying. Consequently, it has been selected by more than twenty air forces worldwide as their ab initio trainer — since the aircraft's introduction in 1978 close to 500 have been sold, with the majority still being in service at the present time.

The aircraft is also used by a number of private customers and is both FAA and FOCA civil certified in order to comply to the general aviation regulations in Europe and the USA.

Well over one million hours have been flown by PC-7s worldwide.

Development

The PC-7 is based on the earlier piston-powered Pilatus P-3. The first prototype (manufactured from a modified P-3) first flew on 12 April 1966, but after a crash the whole PC-7 programme was shelved.

In 1973 the programme was restarted and another P-3 was obtained from the Swiss Air Force. After modification, this aircraft first flew on 12 May 1975. Further extensive modifications followed later in the programme, including a new one-piece wing with integral fuel tanks, an altered tailfin and a bubble canopy.

The first production aircraft flew on 18 August 1978. Swiss civil certification followed on 5 December of the same year, with deliveries starting immediately thereafter.

Note: The PC-7 Mk2 is more similar to the Pilatus PC-9 than to the Pilatus PC-7.

Users

An incomplete list of the users of the PC-7 are:

Angola: 25 (delivered from 1982)
Austria: 16 (delivered from 1983)
Bolivia: 24 (delivered from 1979)
Bophuthatswana: 2 (delivered from 1989, later transferred to South Africa and subsequently returned to Pilatus)
Botswana: 7 (delivered from 1990)
Chad: 2 (delivered from 1985)
Chile: 10 (delivered from 1980)
France: 5 (delivered 1991)
Guatemala: 12 (delivered from 1980)
Iran: 35 (delivered from 1983)
Iraq: 52 (delivered from 1980)
Malaysia: 46 (delivered from 1983)
Mexico: 88 (delivered fom 1970)
Myanmar: 17 (deliverd from 1979)
Netherlands: 13 (delivered from 1989)
Suriname: 3 (delivered from 1986)
Switzerland: 40 (delivered from 1979)
United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi): 31 (delivered from 1982)
Uruguay: 6 (delivered from 1992)

Civilian users in various countries: 7+

Variants

The PC-7 Mk 2 Astra is used by the South African Air Force, with sixty examples having been acquired. The aircraft were assembled in South Africa from kits supplied by Pilatus. The value of the contract was estimated to be USD 175 million in 1993. Due to political considerations at the time of the sale, the aircraft were not fitted with the armament hardpoints.

PC-7/CH Two-seat version for the Swiss Air Force.

Four PC-7 Mk 2 aircraft are also used by the air force of Brunei.

Specifications (PC-7 Turbo Trainer)

General characteristics

Crew: two, student and instructor
Length: 10.13 m (33 ft 3 in)
Wingspan: 10.12 m (33 ft 2 in)
Height: 3.30 m (10 ft 10 in)
Wing area: 16.3 m² (175 ft²)
Empty: 1,670 kg (3,680 lb)
Loaded: kg ( lb)
Maximum takeoff: 2,700 kg (5,940 lb)
Powerplant: 1x Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-25C, 522 kW (700 shp)

Performance

Maximum speed: 250 kt (460 km/h or 290 mph)
Range: 1,050 nm (1,950 km or 1,210 miles)
Service ceiling: 9,150 m (30,000 ft)
Rate of climb: 865 m/min (2,840 ft/min)
Wing loading: kg/m² (lb/ft²)
Power/Mass: kW/kg (hp/lb)

Armament

Six hardpoints for bombs and rockets

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