Pilatus PC-9

Summary

Description

The origins of the PC-9 can be traced back to the earlier PC-7 trainer from which it evolved. Rapid changes in the global trainer market and customer expectations led Pilatus to commence design studies in the early 1980s for a trainer aircraft capable of both ab initio and advanced training. The PC-9 program was officially launched in 1982, and after some aerodynamic elements were tested on a PC-7, the first PC-9 prototype conducted its maiden flight on 7 May 1984. Type certification was achieved in September 1985. In 1984, Pilatus teamed up with British Aerospace to market the PC-9 to the Royal Air Force; this bid was unsuccessful, however the type's first order came from Saudi Arabia. Quantity production of an initial batch of 10 aircraft commenced in 1985. Production of the PC-9 continued, including licensed production by Hawker de Havilland in Australia (PC-9/A), and joint development with Beechcraft that led to the Beechcraft T-6A Texan II, which won the United States JPATS competition in June 1995.

The PC-9 is a tandem-seat single-engine military trainer aircraft with high performance capabilities. Compared to the PC-7, the PC-9 is almost 300 kg heavier and features a lengthened nose, an elongated cockpit and canopy, and stepped ejection seats to improve visibility from the rear position. It also incorporates a ventral airbrake. Although not fitted as standard, a head-up display (HUD) and an onboard oxygen generation system could be optionally fitted. The PC-9M version, introduced in 1997, includes an enlarged dorsal fin for enhanced longitudinal stability, modified wingroot fairings, stall strips on the leading edges, and new engine and propeller controls.

The PC-9 features seven hardpoints for armament carriage, with three located under each wing and one ventral. The inner two hardpoints under each wing are rated to carry up to 250 kg (550 lb) each, while the outer hardpoints can carry up to 110 kg (240 lb).

While the vast majority of PC-9s were sold to military operators, at least 15 were believed to have been sold to commercial or civilian entities; German airline Condor operated 10 PC-9s configured for target-towing. In early 2023, the German branch of Qinetiq acquired nine secondhand PC-9Bs, adding to the three they already operated, to provide aerial training services, attack controller and close air support training to the German armed forces. On 22 March 1991, a USAF F-15C Eagle patrolling Iraqi airspace as part of Operation Provide Comfort shot down a Su-22 and encountered a PC-9; the pilot of the PC-9 ejected, and the unoccupied aircraft crashed. Between 1991 and 1996, the United States Army operated three PC-9s as chase and test aircraft before selling them to Slovenia. In 2008, accusations were made regarding Chad's use of the PC-9 against dissidents and potential violations of Swiss export controls. Various operators, including the Roulettes of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the Blue Phoenix aerobatics team of the Royal Thai Air Force, have used PC-9s in dedicated formation aerobatic display teams. The RAAF retired its PC-9s in 2019, replacing them with PC-21s, while the Royal Thai Air Force retired theirs on February 2, 2024, replacing them with Beechcraft T-6 Texan IIs.

Main Variants:

• PC-9: The baseline, two-seat basic trainer aircraft served as the foundation for subsequent variants.

• PC-9/A: This variant includes 67 two-seat trainers specifically built for the Royal Australian Air Force, some assembled from kits and others built under license in Australia.

• PC-9B: A specialized two-seat target-towing aircraft developed for the German Air Force, featuring increased fuel capacity and underwing winches.

• PC-9M: Introduced in 1997, this new standard model has an enlarged dorsal fin in order to improve longitudinal stability, modified wingroot fairings, stall strips on the leading edges as well as new engine and propeller controls.

• Beech Pilatus PC-9 Mk.2: A heavily modified version developed jointly by Pilatus and Beechcraft for the United States JPATS competition and later known as the Beechcraft T-6A Texan II.

Technical specifications

Current operating countries

Country		Units
	Thailand	19
	Croatia	14
	Oman	12
	Myanmar	10
	Ireland	8
	Slovenia	8
	Bulgaria	6
	Angola	4
	Chad	1
	Mexico	1

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

All operators

Angola • Bulgaria • Switzerland • Cyprus • Croatia • Ireland • Mexico • Myanmar • Oman • Slovenia • Chad • Thailand • United States