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Pilatus PC-9M Advanced Turbo Trainer

Type (Muster)
Advanced turboprop trainer (Schulflugzeug mit Turboprop-Antrieb)

Country (Land)
Switzerland (Schweiz)

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Pilatus Flugzeugwerke AG
6371 Stans
Switzerland

Phone: 0041-41/619-6111
Fax: 0041-41/610-9230
Internet: www.pilatus-aircraft.com

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

Power plant (Antrieb): 1 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-62 turboprop
Power (Leistung): 708 kW (950 shp) flat rating (from 1150 shp thermodynamic), with 671 kW (900 shp) maximum cruise
Propeller: Hartzell four blade, diameter 2,44 m

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Length (Länge): 10,14 m
Height (Höhe): 3,26 m
Span (Spannweite): 10,19 m
Wing area (Flügelfläche): 16,28 sq m
Wing aspect ration (Flügelstreckung): 6,29

Weights (Massen)
Basic empty weight (Leermasse): 1725 kg
Max. fuel (Max. Kraftstoff): 530 litres in integral wing tanks plus 310 or 500 litres in two underwing tanks
External loads (Außenlasten): 1040 kg on six wing stations
Max. zero-fuel weight (Max. Masse ohne Kraftstoff): 2000 kg
Max. ramp weight (Max. Rollmasse): 2360 kg or 3210 kg maximum
Max. take-off weight (Max. Startmasse): 2350 kg for aerobatics, 3200 kg maximum
Max. landing weight (Max. Landemasse): 2350 kg or 3100 kg maximum

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. diving speed (Höchstgeschwindigkeit im Sturzflug): 667 km/h, Mach 0.73
Max. cruise speed (maximale Reisegeschwindigkeit): 500 km/h at sea level, 556 km/h at 6100 m
Stall speed (Überziehgeschwindigkeit): 128 km/h with gear and flaps down
Max. climb rate (max. Steigrate): 20,7 m/s at sea level
Time to 15000 ft (Steigzeit auf 4575 m): 4 min 5 sec
Service ceiling (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 11580 m (38000 ft)
Take-off run (Startrollstrecke): 242 m at sea level
Take-off to 15 m (Startstrecke über 15-m-Hindernis): 390 m at sea level, 645 m at 3050 m
Landing distance from 15 m (Landestreckeüber 15-m-Hindernis): 700 m at sea level, 925 m at 3050 m
Landing run (Landerollstrecke): 350 m at sea level
Range (Reichweite):
- 1220 km at max. cruise speed
- 1540 km at long-range cruise speed (390 km/h)
Endurance (Einsatzdauer): Two sorties of 1 h plus 20 min reserve or 4 h 30 min at 203 km/h
g-limits: +7/-3,5 at aerobatic weight; +4,5/-2,25 at max. take-off weight

Costs (Kosten)
In January 2003, Ireland signed a contract of 70 million Swiss Francs for 8 aircraft plus a complete training system, spares etc.

Customers (Kunden)
By early 2003, Pilatus had sold over 250 PC-9s, including

Angola: 4, delivery from 1987
Australia: 67. Two were supplied from Pilatus, 17 were assembled from kits, and 48 build in-country by Hawker de Havilland
Croatia: 17, from 1997, plus three obtained second-hand
Cyprus: 2, from 1989
Iraq: 20 from 1987
Ireland: 8, ordered on 16 January 2003 for delivery by mid-2004
Myanmar: 10, from April 1986
Oman: 12, delivered 1999 to March 2000, replacing BAE Strikemasters
Saudi Arabia: 50, from December 1986. Sold through British Aerospace
Slovenia: 9, from November 1998. Have been upgraded in Israel
Switzerland: 14, from 1987. Two returned to Pilatus after evaluation
Thailand: 36 from 1991
US Army: 3, from 1991. In 1993 these were transferred to Slovenia
Condor Flugdienst in Germany: 10, for target-towing duties (as PC-9B). Delivered from 1990. Also got one ex-demonstrator in August 2000

Competitors (Konkurrenz)
Embraer EMB-312 Tucano
Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano
Raytheon T-6A Texan II (JPATS)

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The PC-9 is a much more powerful evolution of the PC-7, just retaining the overall layout of ist predecessor but preserving very little structural commonality. It features a larger cockpit with stepped ejection seats and has a ventral airbrake.
The PC-9 programme began in May 1982, with some aerodynamic elements tested on the PC-7 in 1982/83. The first pre-production PC-9 flew on 7. May 1984, and the second followed two months later on 20 July. This one was almost fully representative of the production version, with electronic flight instrumentation and environmental control systems installed. Aerobatic certification was achieved in September 1985, by which time the PC-9 had lost out in the RAF trainer competition to the Tucano. Its marketing link with British Aerospace then soon led to the first order from Saudi Arabia.
The Australian version is designated as the PC-9/A. The first production aircraft flew on 19 May 1987.
The PC-9B designation belongs to the target-towing variant delivered to Germany. It has an increased fuel capacity for a 3 hour 20 minutes mission and two Southwest RM-24 winches under the wings. They can reel out a target up to 3,5 kilometres. Maximum speed with deployed target is 310 kts in a dive.
Further extensive modifications led to the Beech Pilatus PC-9 Mk.II (now T-6A Texan II), for the US JPATS competition. This aircraft is now built and marketed independently by Raytheon.
In 1997, the PC-9 (M) was introduced as the new standard model. It features an enlarged dorsal fin to improve longitudinal stability, modified wingroot fairings, stall strips on the leading edges and new engine/propeller controls.
Slovenia placed an order for the PC-9M in December 1997, with delivereis completed a year later.
Oman ordered the PC-9M in January 1999, and all were delivered by March 2000.
On 16 January 2003, the Irish defence ministry signed a contract for 8 PC-9M. The deal included a complete training system and specified delivery by mid-2004.

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Last updated 10 June 2003

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