Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer

Summary

Description

The Pilatus PC-7 is a low-wing tandem-seat training aircraft, designed and manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland. The aircraft's origins date back to the 1950s when Pilatus sought to build upon the success of their earlier propeller-driven planes. The PC-7 was officially introduced in 1978, as a development of the earlier Pilatus P-3. It is primarily used for training purposes, both for basic and advanced training missions, by various air forces and flight schools around the world.

The aircraft is known for its rugged construction and the ability to perform aerobatic maneuvers, a requirement for military pilot training. It has been exported globally and has seen service in more than 20 countries.

The development of the Pilatus PC-7 was rooted in the desire to create a versatile training aircraft that could meet the rigorous demands of both basic and advanced pilot training. To that end, Pilatus built upon the architecture of their earlier P-3 model, while incorporating modern aerodynamic features and avionics to make the aircraft more efficient and easier to handle.

The PC-7 employs a low-wing monoplane design, which grants it stability and ease of control, both crucial elements in a training aircraft. The construction is mainly of aluminum alloy, contributing to its robustness and long service life.

Under the hood, it usually features a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-25A turboprop engine, delivering around 550 shaft horsepower. The cockpit is arranged in a tandem-seat configuration, allowing for an instructor and a student to be seated one behind the other. The visibility is good from both seats, and the cockpit is generally equipped with conventional dials and basic electronic displays.

Aerodynamically, the PC-7 is capable of performing all basic aerobatic maneuvers, which is a standard requirement for military training aircraft. The design also allows for a range of external attachments, such as hardpoints for practice munitions, making it adaptable for light attack roles if needed.

Armament

The Pilatus PC-7 is primarily designed as a training aircraft, but it does have limited weapon capabilities to serve in secondary roles such as light attack or counter-insurgency operations. The aircraft can be equipped with underwing hardpoints that allow it to carry a variety of external stores. Typically, these hardpoints can accommodate practice bombs, gun pods, and even light rockets. However, it's important to note that the PC-7's weapon-carrying capacity is relatively modest, both in terms of the types and amount of ordnance it can carry, as well as the aircraft's ability to accurately deliver them.

These weapon capabilities are generally considered supplementary to the PC-7's primary training role. They can be used for weapons training, familiarizing student pilots with the basics of munitions handling, aiming, and release. In some cases, air forces have employed PC-7s in light attack roles, but these are exceptions rather than the rule, given that the aircraft lacks the advanced targeting systems and armor protection found in dedicated combat aircraft.

Operational history

The Pilatus PC-7 has an extensive operational history that spans more than four decades and includes service in over 20 countries. After its introduction in 1978, the aircraft quickly gained traction as a reliable and cost-effective training solution, leading to its adoption by several air forces around the world. Among the earliest operators were Switzerland and Myanmar (then known as Burma).

Over the years, the PC-7 has been used primarily for training pilots in basic and advanced flight techniques, aerobatics, navigation, and even rudimentary weapons training. However, its use has not been restricted solely to training roles. For instance, during the 1980s, South Africa used PC-7s in a light attack role in regional conflicts, including the Angolan Civil War, where they performed admirably despite their limitations as combat aircraft.

The Mexican Air Force has also used the PC-7 in anti-narcotic operations, showcasing the aircraft's adaptability to roles beyond training. Other countries that have deployed the PC-7 for various uses include India, Iran, Netherlands, and Malaysia, among others.

Variants

The Pilatus PC-7 has several main variants:

• PC-7 Turbo Trainer: This is the original version that was first introduced in 1978. It's the basic model featuring a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-25A turboprop engine and standard avionics suitable for training purposes.
• PC-7 Mk II: Introduced in the 1990s, the Mk II is an advanced version with significant upgrades. It is essentially a hybrid that combines the airframe of the PC-7 with the more powerful engine and avionics of the PC-9, another Pilatus training aircraft. This variant offers improved performance, a glass cockpit, and increased payload capabilities.
• NCPC-7: This is a specific variant for the Swiss Air Force. It's tailored to meet Switzerland's unique training requirements and may feature specific avionics or other systems that are not standard in other PC-7 variants.

Technical specifications

Current operating countries

Country		Units
	India	75
	Mexico	64
	South Africa	56
	Iran	34
	United Arab Emirates	31
	Switzerland	27
	Angola	22
	Malaysia	20
	Myanmar	16
	Netherlands	13
	Austria	12
	Chile	7
	Botswana	5
	Uruguay	5
	Brunei	4
	Bolivia	2
	Chad	2
	Guatemala	1

Numbers in parentheses, e.g. '(+5)', indicate units ordered but not yet delivered.

All operators

Angola • United Arab Emirates • Austria • Bolivia • Brunei • Botswana • Switzerland • Chile • France • Guatemala • India • Iran • Iraq • Mexico • Myanmar • Malaysia • Netherlands • Suriname • Chad • Uruguay • South Africa