Australia chooses turboprop as basic and advanced trainer - AIN Defence Perspective

 

Pilatus Registers The Latest Win for PC-21

by Chris Pocock

 - December 9, 2015, 9:37 AM

Australia chose the Pilatus PC-21 to replace the PC-9/As flying with the RAAF. (Photo: Pilatus)

Pilatus Aircraft belatedly acknowledged Australia’s choice last September of the PC-21 for basic and advanced flight training. Together with Hawker Pacific, the Swiss company was part of the Lockheed Martin-led team that won a 25-year contract for a full training service, including simulators and tuition. The other contender for the project was BAE Systems with partners CAE and Beechcraft, which would have provided the latter’s T-6C TexanII.   

“We are delighted that after 28 years of Pilatus PC-9 operations, Australia has chosen to endorse our reputation for providing world-class training systems,” said Oscar Schwenk, chairman of Pilatus. The PC-21s will replace the PC-9/As that have served with the RAAF’s No 2 Flying Training School at Pearce airbase, beginning in 2017. They will also replace the CT/4B Airtrainers that have been used for screening and initial pilot training. These aircraft were operated under contract by BAE Systems at Tamworth airport, but when the Lockheed Martin partnership takes over this activity in 2019, it will move to East Sale airbase. Pilots for all three Australian military air arms will be trained by the new system.

Australia will be using a total of 49 PC-21s. The new contract brings the sales tally to 180. Pilatus rolled out the 100th PC-21 last February.