Pilatus PC-7 Mk.II (M) Turbo Trainer

Type (Muster)
Turboprop trainer

Country (Land)
Switzerland (Schweiz)

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Pilatus Flugzeugwerke AG
6371 Stans
Switzerland

Phone: 0041-41/619-6111
Fax: 0041-41/610-9230

General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 2 in tandem on Martin-Baker Mk.CH11A ejection seats

Power plant (Antrieb): 1 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-25C turboprop
Power (Leistung): 522 kW (700 shp), flat rated from 634 kW thermodynamic
Propeller: Hartzell four-blade, diameter 2,44 m

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Length (Länge): 10,13 m
Height (Höhe): 3,26 m
Wing span (Spannweite): 10,19 m
Wing area (Flügelfläche): 16,29 sq m
Aspect ratio (Streckung): 6,29

Weights (Massen)
Basic empty weight (Leermasse): 1670 kg
Max. stores load (Max. Außenlast): 1040 kg
Max. fuel (Max. Kraftstoff): 518 litres in integral wing tanks plus 310 or 490 litres in two underwing tanks
Max. zero-fuel weight (Max. Masse ohne Kraftstoff): 1900 kg
Max. ramp weight (Max. Rollmasse): 2260 kg or 2860 kg with underwing stores
Max. take-off weight (Max. Startmasse): 2250 kg for aerobatics, 2850 kg maximum in utility category
Max. landing weight (Max. Landemasse): 2250 kg or 2750 kg in utility category

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. level speed (Höchstgeschwindigkeit): 555 km/h, Mach 0.6
Max. cruise speed (max. Reisegeschwindigkeit): 465 km/h at 10000 ft (3050 m), 448 km/h at sea level
Stall speed (Überziehgeschwindigkeit): 126 km/h, gear and flaps down
Max. climb rate (max. Steigrate): 14,42 m/s (2840 ft/min) at sea level
Time to climb (Steigzeit): 1 min 50 sec to 5000 ft (1525 m), 10 min 55 sec to 20000 ft (6095 m)
Service ceiling (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 9150 m (30000 ft)
Take-off run (Startrollstrecke): 259 m
Take-off to 15 m (Startstrecke über 15-m-Hindernis): 415 m at sea level, 785 m at 10000 ft
Landing distance from 15 m (Landestreckeüber 15-m-Hindernis): 674 m at sea level, 891 m at 10000 ft
Landing run (Landerollstrecke): 335 m at sea level
Range (Reichweite):
   - 1407 km at max. cruise speed
   - 1500 km at long range cruise speed
   - 1935 km maxiumum
Endurance (Einsatzdauer): 4 hr 40 min at 203 km/h
g-limits: +7/-3,5 at aerobatic weight; +4,5/-2,25 at max. take-off weight

Costs (Kosten)
No infos available

Customers (Kunden)
Currently, there are two known users of the PC-7 Mk.II:

60 for South Africa, to replace the 50 year old Harvards of the country. The aircraft are assembled locally from Pilatus kits. Value of the deal was put at around 175 million US-Dollars in 1993.
4 for Brunei

Competitors (Konkurrenz)
Embraer EMB-312 Tucano
Raytheon T-6A Texan II (JPATS)

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The PC-7 Mk.II (M) is intended for screening, primary and basic training. It incorporates modern, reliable and easy to maintain systems and its modular layout allows a wide choice of equipment. Features include OBOGS, ejection seats and environmental control system for the cockpit (which is unpressurized). The airframe is based on that of the PC-9, but a lower-powered PT6 engine variant is used.
The PC-7 Mk.II was launched in 1992 in a bid for the South African trainer requirement. Two prototypes were built, the first flying on 28 September 1992.
A contract with South Africa was signed on 12 February 1993, after defence minister Gene Louw had announced the selection of the PC-7 Mk.II on 2. December 1992. Five contenders had been in the running. The deal provided for 55 per cent offsets.
The first production aicraft took to the air in August 1994. Official handover to the South African Air Force, where it is known as the Astra, was on 30 November 1994 at the Waterkloof airbase. Deliveries concluded in 1996.

Last updated 8. April 1999

FLUG REVUE, Ubierstr. 83, 53173 Bonn, Germany