The first Pilatus PC-21 turboprop trainer aircraft for Australian Defense Force has completed maiden flight from Pilatus factory in Stans, ...
The first Pilatus PC-21 turboprop trainer aircraft for Australian Defense Force has completed maiden flight from Pilatus factory in Stans, Switzerland.
This is the first of 49 aircraft ordered in December 2015, to train Australian Army, Navy and Air Force pilots under the AIR 5428 project for the next 25 years.
The aircraft registered as A54-001, will be handed over to the Royal Australian Air Force at East Sale in June 2017 after completion of testing and verification work in both Switzerland and Australia.
The PC-21 will replace both the aging PC-9 fleet, which has been in service since 1988, and also the Pacific Aerospace CT-4B aircraft currently used for basic training.
The PC-9 is due to be withdrawn in 2019 after thirty years of service and more than 500,000 flying hours. The CT-4B recently completed the 250,000 flight hour mark.
This is the first of 49 aircraft ordered in December 2015, to train Australian Army, Navy and Air Force pilots under the AIR 5428 project for the next 25 years.
The aircraft registered as A54-001, will be handed over to the Royal Australian Air Force at East Sale in June 2017 after completion of testing and verification work in both Switzerland and Australia.
The PC-21 will replace both the aging PC-9 fleet, which has been in service since 1988, and also the Pacific Aerospace CT-4B aircraft currently used for basic training.
The PC-9 is due to be withdrawn in 2019 after thirty years of service and more than 500,000 flying hours. The CT-4B recently completed the 250,000 flight hour mark.
