PC-21

The Pilatus PC-21 is a modern, high-performance turboprop aircraft of Swiss manufacture, designed for both basic and advanced training of military pilots. Thanks to its excellent aerodynamic features, it enables universal and comprehensive training for modern military operations. It is characterized by high agility with a maximum overload of +8G to -4G and features similar to jet aircraft. It is often referred to as the 21st-century training aircraft, especially due to its capabilities to simulate the control and use of weapons or electronic warfare within the Mission Planning System (MPS), which allows it to effectively mimic combat situations.

The development of this aircraft began at the end of 1998 with the idea of creating a training machine with flight characteristics close to jet aircraft, however offering significantly lower operating costs. The first prototype was introduced in July 2002, and the aircraft received certification four years later, shortly after which the first order was placed – specifically for 19 units from Singapore. It entered service in April 2008, and since then it has been replacing its forerunners from Pilatus production, the PC-7 and PC-9, as well as other turboprop machines and even training jets in various air forces.

The aircraft is powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68B turboprop engine with an output of 1195 kW, which drives a five-blade Hartzell E8991 KX propeller with a diameter of 2.39 meters. Although the primary aim of the PC-21 is pilot training, it also has the capability to carry up to 1,150 kg of armament on a total of five hardpoints. Another advantage is the so-called glass cockpit composed of three 6x8 inch AMLCD displays and a HUD Flight Visions SparrowHawk display, along with Martin-Baker CH16C Zero-Zero ejection seats. The cockpit is arranged in tandem, allowing the student to sit in the front and the instructor in the back. The entire cabin is pressurized and equipped with an onboard oxygen generation system (OBOGS).

More than 270 PC-21 aircraft have been produced, and they have accumulated more than 500,000 flight hours. The main users are the air forces of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Qatar, Switzerland, France, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

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