FLUG REVUE November 2005: Pilatus PC-21 tests advance

November 2005

PILATUS HAS HIG HOPES FOR PC-21

By Matthias Gründer

The Swiss Air Force could be the launch customer for the new Pilatus PC-21 military trainer, so John Senior, Vice President Research and Development of the long-established company in Stans, is hoping. At the end of August the first pre-production aircraft (HB-HZC) successfully completed its maiden flight, and before the end of the year a second aircraft should follow. According to current plans, next year a further four aircraft are to be built, following which these six trainers could be the first delivery bound for a new training facility for Swiss military pilots.

While the first prototype is subjected to extensive testing of its instrument flight equipment and autopilot, Pilatus is going flat out marketing the trainer. Forecasts of trends on the training market over the next 20 to 25 years suggest a requirement for around 1,000 aircraft of all types, and the Swiss have set themselves the ambitious goal of supplying no fewer than half of this.

Accordingly, marketing activities are under way now, and over the next few months presentations are to be given in Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates, in the course of which John Senior is confident of an order from the Far East. “For the price of one state-of-the-art jet trainer today, one can have three of our planes, which on top of that cover every stage of training from ab initio through to system training.

Although the PC-21 does not have any underwing fuselage stations, it can still be used, for example, for weapon delivery training, for which sophisticated simulation software can be used. Comparatively low procurement, operating and maintenance costs should be compelling arguments in its favour with potential customers.

However, the fight for market share has been somewhat overshadowed by the crash of the second prototype (HB-HZB) during a practice flight for an air show display on 13 January 2005, as a result of which the whole programme has slipped. On the other hand, the PC-21 had already received its type certification from the Swiss aviation authorities on 23 December 2004 with the first prototype, which was then upgraded with avionics. Serial production is currently running at a relatively slow pace, but after the first few orders it should be possible to ramp this up rapidly. Altogether, Pilatus has invested 170 million Swiss francs to date in development of the PC-21.

From page 58 of FLUG REVUE 11/2005

Last updated 12 October 2005

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