Pilatus PC-7

Pilatus PC-7

The Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer is based on the piston-powered Pilatus P-3. Since its introduction in 1978, close to 500 aircraft have been sold, with the majority still being in service today. The aircraft’s capability to cover all aspects of basic training including aerobatics, instrument, tactical and night flying, has convinced 20 air forces to select the PC-7 to train professional military pilots. The Pilatus PC-7 is powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-25A turboprop, and a clear-vision mounded bubble canopy for the non-pressurized tandem-cockpit.

The Pilatus PC-7 Mk.II M airframe is based on that of the Pilatus PC-9, but a lower-powered Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-25C turboprop engine variant is used. The cockpit of the Pilatus PC-7 Mk.II M is equipped with a comprehensive tandem-capable VFR/IFR day and night avionics package for navigation, communication and identification using state-of-the-art equipment.

Developing nation:	Switzerland.
Manufacturer/designer:	Pilatus Aircraft.
Production line.	Stans.
Task:	Turbo trainer.
First flight:	- Pilatus P-3 re-engined April 12, 1966 HB-HON. - Pilatus PC-7 first production aircraft August 18, 1978 HB-HAO. - Pilatus PC-7Mk.II M September 28, 1992.
First delivery:	- Pilatus PC-7 early 1979 to Myanmar Air Force. - Pilatus PC-7Mk.II M November 30, 1994 to South-African Air Force.
	Pilatus PC-7
Crew:	2
Ejection seat:	Martin-Baker CH.Mk.15A.
Wing span:	10,40 m.
Wing area:	16,60 m².
Length:	9,78 m.
Height:	3,21 m.
Tail plane span:	3,40 m.
Wheelbase:	2,32 m.
Wheel track:	2,60 m.
Engine:	One Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-25A turboprop rated 485 kW.
Propeller:	Hartzell HC-B3TN-2 three-blade, constant speed.
Weight:	- Empty: 1.330 Kg. - Internal fuel: 474 liters. - External fuel: 2 x 240 liters. - Max. ordnance: 1.040 Kg.
Max. take off weight:	2.700 Kg.
Max. landing weight:	2.565 Kg.
Cruise speed:	412 km/h.
Max. speed:	500 km/h at 6.095 m.
Service ceiling:	10.060 m.
Range:	- range 1.200 km without drop tanks. - ferry range 2.630 km with drop tanks. Max. endurance 4 hours, 22 minutes.
Performance:	- max. rate of climb at sea level 655 m per minute. - climb to 5.000 m in 9 minutes, 0 seconds. - take-off run 780 m at max. take-off weight. - landing run 505 m at max. landing weight.
g limits:	-3 / +6.
Underwing hardpoints:	6.

	Pilatus PC-7 Mk.II M*
Ejection seat:	Martin-Baker Mk.CH11A.
Wing span:	10,19 m.
Wing area:	16,29 m².
Length:	10,13 m.
height:	3,26 m.
Engine:	One Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-25C turboprop rated 522 kW.
Propeller:	Hartzell four-blade, diameter 2,44 m.
Weight:	- Empty: 1.670 Kg. - Zero fuel weight 1.900 kg. - Internal fuel: 518 liters. - External fuel: 2 x 240 liters. - Max. ordnance: 1.040 Kg.
Max. take off weight:	2.850 Kg.
Max. landing weight:	2.750 Kg.
Cruise speed:	465 km/h at 3.050 m.
Max. speed:	555 km/h.
Service ceiling:	9.150 m
Range:	- range 1.200 km without drop tanks. - ferry range 2.935 km with drop tanks. Max. endurance 4 hours, 40 minutes.
Performance:	- max. rate of climb at sea level 865 m per minute. - climb to 6.095 m in 10 minutes, 55 seconds. - take-off run 259 m at max. take-off weight. - landing run 335 m at max. landing weight.
g limits:	-3,5 / +7

* Generally similar to the Pilatus PC-7 except in the following particulars.

Pilatus PC-7 operators:
Angola:	- 25 PC-7.
Austria:	- 16 PC-7.
Bolivia:	- 24 PC-7.
Bophuthatswana:	- 2 PC-7 returned via South-African Air Force to Pilatus Aircraft.
Botswana:	- 7 PC-7.
Brunei:	- 4 PC-7 Mk.II M.
Chad:	- 2 PC-7.
Chile:	- 10 PC-7.
France:	- 6 PC-7.
Guatemala:	- 12 PC-7.
Iran:	- 35 PC-7.
Iraq:	- 52 PC-7.
Malaysia:	- 45 PC-7. - 4 PC-7 Mk.II M.
Mexico:	- 88 PC-7.
Myanmar:	- 17 PC-7.
Netherlands:	- 13 PC-7.
South-Africa:	- 60 PC-7 Mk.II M.
Suriname:	- 2 PC-7, one to civil.
Switzerland:	- 40 PC-7.
UAE (Abu-Dhabi):	- 31 PC-7.
Uruguay:	- 6 PC-7.
Civil:	more than 7 PC-7.

Pilatus PC-7 written-off by accidents:

? OD1 Botswana Defence Force.
? OD5 Botswana Defence Force.
? 211 Fuerza Aérea Guatemalteca.
? 220 Fuerza Aérea Guatemalteca.
? 274 Fuerza Aérea Guatemalteca.
? 278 Fuerza Aérea Guatemalteca.
? ? Iraqi Air Force.
May 7, 1980 FAB455 Bolivian Air Force.
July 9, 1984 ? Malaysian Air Force.
September 4, 1989 ? Malaysian Air Force.
March 7, 1990 A-905 Swiss Air Force.
September 25, 1990 ? Malaysian Air Force.
October 22, 1991 ? Malaysian Air Force.
January 29,1992 ? Malaysian Air Force.
January 31, 1992 M33-42 Malaysian Air Force.
July 10, 1993 ? Malaysian Air Force.
November 18, 1993 ? Malaysian Air Force.
April 8, 1994 304 Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya.*
April 15, 1994 A-920 Swiss Air Force.
February 3, 1997 2021 South-African Air Force.
February 26, 1997 OD5 Botswana Defence Force.
October 30, 1998 2022 South-African Air Force.
August 12, 1999 ? Mexican Air Force
January 14, 2000 HB-HOO Private.
April 10, 2001 ? Malaysian Air Force.
May 8, 2001 FAB-462 Bolivian Air Force.
January 2, 2002 ? Malaysian Air Force.
November 12, 2002 A-921 Swiss Air Force.
November 17, 2002 2559 Mexican Air Force.
2003 TT-QAB Chad Air Force.
August 12, 2003 ? Malaysian Air Force.
May 27, 2004 ? Malaysian Air Force.
June 22, 2004 FAB464 Bolivian Air Force.
June 22, 2004 FAB466 Bolivian Air Force.

April 8, 2005 6584 Mexican Air Force.

April 9, 2005 ? South-African Air Force.

*written-off but repaired as 307 of the Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya .

Research : R. Vogelaar