Pilatus PC-7
Encyclopedia
The Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer is a low-wing tandem-seat training aircraft, manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft
of Switzerland
. The aircraft is capable of all basic training functions including aerobatics
, instrument
, tactical and night flying. It has been selected by more than twenty air force
s as their ab initio
trainer. Since the aircraft's introduction in 1978
close to 500 have been sold, with the majority still in service. Over one million hours have been flown by PC-7s worldwide.
-powered Pilatus P-3
. The first prototype (modified from the prototype P-3 by replacing its Lycoming O-435 engine with a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-20 turboprop) flew on 12 April 1966, but after a crash the 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 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 12 August 1978. Swiss civil certification followed on 5 December of the same year, with deliveries, to Burma and Bolivia
starting immediately thereafter.
The aircraft is also used by private customers and is both FAA
and FOCA civil certified to comply to the general aviation
regulations in Europe and the USA.
The PC-7 Mk II is a development of the PC-9's airframe and avionics, fitted with the PC-7's smaller turbine to lower operating and maintenance costs. It is used by the South African Air Force
, with sixty examples having been manufactured. 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, the aircraft were not fitted with the armament hardpoints. Four PC-7 Mk II aircraft are used by the air force of Brunei.
The Chadian Air Force has used its small fleet of PC-7s to bomb rebel positions both in their own territory and in neighboring Sudan.
In 1994, Mexican Air Force
armed PC-7 were used to attack Zapatista Army of National Liberation
during the Chiapas conflict
in Mexico
. This action was considered illegal by the Swiss government because the airplanes were sold for training purposes only, and as result, Switzerland issued a ban to sell more units to Mexico.
In June 2011, the Indian Air Force selected the Pilatus PC-7 trainer as its basic trainer, an initial order of 75 was made. In typical Indian fashion, this order could be progressively increased to 200 trainers.
An incomplete list of the users of the PC-7:
(Abu Dhabi
): 31 (delivered from 1982)
: 25 (delivered from 1982)
:
:
Bophuthatswana
:
:
:
: 10 (delivered from 1980)
: 5 (delivered 1991)
: 12 (delivered from 1980)
: 35 (delivered from 1983)
: 52 (delivered from 1980)
: 46 (delivered from 1983)
In November 2009, a civilian passenger in the back seat of a South African Air Force Pilatus PC-7 MK II ejected from the aircraft while in flight. The civilian accidentally pulled the yellow and black ejection lever while trying to brace himself. The passenger is thought to be a friend of the pilot, Captain Gerhard Lourens of the Silver Falcons
. Civilians are not usually allowed in aircraft equipped with ejector seats. An air force spokesman confirmed that officials had launched an investigation into the accident. The passenger survived the incident.
The South African Air Force grounded their fleet of PC-7 MkIIs after a crash on 15 January 2008. The aircraft went down shortly after takeoff from Overberg Air Force Base
in the Western Cape Province. SAAF Lieutenant-Colonel Chris Meiring, 50, died shortly after the crash. The plane was flying to Langebaanweg Air Force Base
for maintenance but shortly after take-off it rolled and flew into the ground. The cause is believed to be a structural problem.
In March 2010, a pilot was killed when his Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) aircraft exploded and caught fire in midair during a solo airshow. This is the fifth accident involving PC-7 aircraft which belongs to the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
In 2010, 2 Mexican pilots were killed in an accident around Acapulco Mexico. The Mexican Air Force reported officially the incident, but further details were not given.
On 19 October 2011 two PC-7 of the Botswana Defence Force were involved in a mid-air collision over Lethlakeng 100km west of Gaborone. One of the four aircrew involved was killed in the incident.
Pilatus Aircraft
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. is an aircraft manufacturer located in Stans, Switzerland. The company employs more than 1,100 people.-History:The company was established in 1939, but it was not until 1944 that a Pilatus-built aircraft, the SB-2 Pelican, first took to the air...
of Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. The aircraft is capable of all basic training functions including aerobatics
Aerobatics
Aerobatics is the practice of flying maneuvers involving aircraft attitudes that are not used in normal flight. Aerobatics are performed in airplanes and gliders for training, recreation, entertainment and sport...
, instrument
Instrument flight rules
Instrument flight rules are one of two sets of regulations governing all aspects of civil aviation aircraft operations; the other are visual flight rules ....
, tactical and night flying. It has been selected by more than twenty air force
Air force
An air force, also known in some countries as an air army, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy or...
s as their ab initio
Ab initio
ab initio is a Latin term used in English, meaning from the beginning.ab initio may also refer to:* Ab Initio , a leading ETL Tool Software Company in the field of Data Warehousing.* ab initio quantum chemistry methods...
trainer. Since the aircraft's introduction in 1978
1978 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1978:-January:* January 1 – British Aircraft Corporation, Hawker Siddeley, and Scottish Aviation are absorbed into British Aerospace...
close to 500 have been sold, with the majority still in service. Over one million hours have been flown by PC-7s worldwide.
Development
The PC-7 is based on the earlier pistonPiston
A piston is a component of reciprocating engines, reciprocating pumps, gas compressors and pneumatic cylinders, among other similar mechanisms. It is the moving component that is contained by a cylinder and is made gas-tight by piston rings. In an engine, its purpose is to transfer force from...
-powered Pilatus P-3
Pilatus P-3
-References:*Jane's All the world's aircraft 1956-7 p. 223: London, Jane's All The World's Aircraft Publishing Co, Ltd*-External links:*...
. The first prototype (modified from the prototype P-3 by replacing its Lycoming O-435 engine with a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-20 turboprop) flew on 12 April 1966, but after a crash the PC-7 programme was shelved.
In 1973 the programme was restarted and another P-3 was obtained from the Swiss Air Force
Swiss Air Force
The Swiss Air Force is the air component of the Swiss Armed Forces, established on July 31, 1914, as part of the Army and as of January 1966 an independent service.In peacetime, Dübendorf is the operational Air Force HQ...
. After modification, this aircraft 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
Bubble canopy
A bubble canopy is a canopy made like a soap bubble, which attempts to provide 360° vision to the pilot.-History:Bubble canopies have been in use since World War II. The British had already developed the "Malcolm hood", which was a bulged canopy, but the British Miles M.20 was one of the first...
.
The first production aircraft flew on 12 August 1978. Swiss civil certification followed on 5 December of the same year, with deliveries, to Burma and Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
starting immediately thereafter.
The aircraft is also used by private customers and is both FAA
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
and FOCA civil certified to comply to the general aviation
General aviation
General aviation is one of the two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
regulations in Europe and the USA.
The PC-7 Mk II is a development of the PC-9's airframe and avionics, fitted with the PC-7's smaller turbine to lower operating and maintenance costs. It is used by the South African Air Force
South African Air Force
The South African Air Force is the air force of South Africa, with headquarters in Pretoria. It is the world's second oldest independent air force, and its motto is Per Aspera Ad Astra...
, with sixty examples having been manufactured. The aircraft were assembled in South Africa from kits supplied by Pilatus. The value of the contract was estimated to be USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
175 million in 1993
1993 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1993:- Events :* The 1,000th Boeing 747 comes off the production line 26 years after the first 747 was built.-February:* The Bolivian Air Force retires the last F-86 Sabre in service amongst the worlds air forces....
. Due to political considerations, the aircraft were not fitted with the armament hardpoints. Four PC-7 Mk II aircraft are used by the air force of Brunei.
Operational history
PC-7s were used by the Iraqi Air Force for close air support in the Iran-Iraq war. They were also used to deliver chemical weapons against Iranian troops.The Chadian Air Force has used its small fleet of PC-7s to bomb rebel positions both in their own territory and in neighboring Sudan.
In 1994, Mexican Air Force
Mexican Air Force
The Mexican Air Force is the aviation branch of the Mexican Army and depends on the National Defense Secretariat . Since 2008, its commander is Gen...
armed PC-7 were used to attack Zapatista Army of National Liberation
Zapatista Army of National Liberation
The Zapatista Army of National Liberation is a revolutionary leftist group based in Chiapas, the southernmost state of Mexico....
during the Chiapas conflict
Chiapas conflict
The Chiapas conflict generally refers to the Zapatista uprising and its aftermath, but has to be understood in relation to the history of marginalization of indigenous peoples and subsistence farmers in the state of Chiapas, Mexico....
in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. This action was considered illegal by the Swiss government because the airplanes were sold for training purposes only, and as result, Switzerland issued a ban to sell more units to Mexico.
In June 2011, the Indian Air Force selected the Pilatus PC-7 trainer as its basic trainer, an initial order of 75 was made. In typical Indian fashion, this order could be progressively increased to 200 trainers.
Variants
- PC-7 : two-seat basic trainer aircraft, powered by PT6A-25A engine rated at 410 kW (550 shp).
- PC-7 Mk II is a development of the PC-9's airframe and avionics, retaining the PC-7's wing to mount external stores. Powered by PT6A-25C of 522 kW (700 shp) rather than more powerful PT6A-62 of PC-9. In many ways this aircraft is a hybrid PC-7 and PC-9, either a PC-7 'Heavy' or a PC-9 'Lite' depending on point of view. Developed for the SAAFSouth African Air ForceThe South African Air Force is the air force of South Africa, with headquarters in Pretoria. It is the world's second oldest independent air force, and its motto is Per Aspera Ad Astra...
, and known as the 'Astra'. - NCPC-7 : upgraded version of the standard PC-7 with fully IFR glass cockpitGlass cockpitA glass cockpit is an aircraft cockpit that features electronic instrument displays, typically large LCD screens, as opposed to the traditional style of analog dials and gauges...
avionics, developed for the Swiss Air Force.
Military operators
(Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi , literally Father of Gazelle, is the capital and the second largest city of the United Arab Emirates in terms of population and the largest of the seven member emirates of the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the central western...
): 31 (delivered from 1982)
: 25 (delivered from 1982)
:
- Austrian Air ForceAustrian Air ForceThe Austrian Air Force is a component part of the Austrian armed forces .-History:The Austrian Air Force was formed in May 1955 by the victorious Allied powers, subject to restrictions on its use of guided missiles...
: 16 (delivered from 1983)
:
- Bolivian Air ForceBolivian Air ForceThe Bolivian Air Force is part of the Military of Bolivia.-History:By 1938 the Bolivian air force consisted of about 60 aircraft , and about 300 staff; the officers were...
: 24 (delivered from 1979)
BophuthatswanaBophuthatswana
Bophuthatswana , officially the Republic of Bophuthatswana was a Bantustan – an area set aside for members of a specific ethnicity – and nominal parliamentary democracy in the northwestern region of South Africa...
:
- Bophuthatswana Air Force
- 2 (delivered from 1989, later transferred to South AfricaSouth AfricaThe Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and subsequently returned to Pilatus)
- 7 (delivered from 1990) replaced by 5 PC-7 Mk 2 from 2011
:
- Royal Brunei Air ForceRoyal Brunei Air ForceThe Royal Brunei Air Force or Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei as it is known by its Malay name, is the air force of the sultanate of Brunei. It is mainly based at the Rimba Air Base within the Brunei International Airport...
: has 4 (PC-7 Mk 2)
:
- Chad Air ForceChad Air ForceThe Chadian Air Force, in French Force Aérienne Tchadienne, was formed in 1961 as the Escadrille Nationale Tchadienne , and was given its current name in 1973...
: has 2 (delivered from 1985)
: 10 (delivered from 1980)
: 5 (delivered 1991)
: 12 (delivered from 1980)
: 35 (delivered from 1983)
: 52 (delivered from 1980)
: 46 (delivered from 1983)
- Mexican Air ForceMexican Air ForceThe Mexican Air Force is the aviation branch of the Mexican Army and depends on the National Defense Secretariat . Since 2008, its commander is Gen...
: 88 (first delivery May 1979)
- 17 (delivered from 1979)
- Royal Netherlands Air ForceRoyal Netherlands Air ForceThe Royal Netherlands Air Force , Dutch Koninklijke Luchtmacht , is the military aviation branch of the Netherlands Armed Forces. Its ancestor, the Luchtvaartafdeling of the Dutch Army was founded on 1 July 1913, with four pilots...
13 (delivered from 1989)
- Nigerian Air ForceNigerian Air ForceThe Nigerian Air Force is the air arm of the Nigerian Armed Forces.It is one of the largest in West Africa, consisting of about 15,000 personnel and aircraft including 15 Chengdu F-7s, and 24 Dassault-Dornier Alpha Jets, armed helicopters, and military transport aircraft. However in recent years...
- 2 aircraft in service.
- South African Air ForceSouth African Air ForceThe South African Air Force is the air force of South Africa, with headquarters in Pretoria. It is the world's second oldest independent air force, and its motto is Per Aspera Ad Astra...
60 (PC-7 Mk 2)
- 3 (delivered from 1986)
- Swiss Air ForceSwiss Air ForceThe Swiss Air Force is the air component of the Swiss Armed Forces, established on July 31, 1914, as part of the Army and as of January 1966 an independent service.In peacetime, Dübendorf is the operational Air Force HQ...
40 (delivered from 1979), 28 NCPC-7 in service in 2011.
- United Arab Emirates Air ForceUnited Arab Emirates Air ForceThe United Arab Emirates Air Force is the air force of the United Arab Emirates . Its predecessor was established in 1968, when the Emirates were still under British rule. Since then, it has undergone a continual reorganization and expansion in terms of both capability and numbers of aircraft...
7 delivered.
- 6 (delivered from 1992)
Incidents
Silver Falcons
The Silver Falcons is the aerobatic display team of the South African Air Force. Based at Air Force Base Langebaanweg near Cape Town, the Silver Falcons fly the Pilatus PC-7 Mk II Astra, the basic trainer of the SA Air Force in a 5-ship routine...
. Civilians are not usually allowed in aircraft equipped with ejector seats. An air force spokesman confirmed that officials had launched an investigation into the accident. The passenger survived the incident.
The South African Air Force grounded their fleet of PC-7 MkIIs after a crash on 15 January 2008. The aircraft went down shortly after takeoff from Overberg Air Force Base
AFB Overberg
AFB Overberg is an airbase of the South African Air Force and is the host of the 525 squadron and the Test Flight and Development Centre. It is placed under command of the Air Office in Pretoria, Gauteng....
in the Western Cape Province. SAAF Lieutenant-Colonel Chris Meiring, 50, died shortly after the crash. The plane was flying to Langebaanweg Air Force Base
AFB Langebaanweg
AFB Langebaanweg is an airbase of the South African Air Force.The base motto is Tenax Propisiti Vinco – Through Tenacity Comes Success.- Units Hosted :* Central Flying School - Pilot and Instructor Training* 2 Air Servicing Unit - Technical Support...
for maintenance but shortly after take-off it rolled and flew into the ground. The cause is believed to be a structural problem.
In March 2010, a pilot was killed when his Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) aircraft exploded and caught fire in midair during a solo airshow. This is the fifth accident involving PC-7 aircraft which belongs to the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
In 2010, 2 Mexican pilots were killed in an accident around Acapulco Mexico. The Mexican Air Force reported officially the incident, but further details were not given.
On 19 October 2011 two PC-7 of the Botswana Defence Force were involved in a mid-air collision over Lethlakeng 100km west of Gaborone. One of the four aircrew involved was killed in the incident.