Pilatus PC-21

The Pilatus PC-21 is a single-turboprop, low wing swept monoplane advanced trainer with a stepped tandem cockpit manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland.

Development
In November 1997 Pilatus flew a modified PC-7 Mk.II in order to test improvements for a next generation turboprop trainer. As a result of these tests, Pilatus funded the development of a new training system in November 1998. Development of the PC-21 started in January 1999. Roll-out of the PC-21 prototype was on 30 April 2002 at Pilatus' factory in Stans, Switzerland, with the first flight taking place on 1 July of the same year. The second PC-21 prototype flew on 7 June 2004. One of the prototypes, HB-HZB, crashed on 13 January 2005, in Buochs, Switzerland on an aerobatic training flight, killing the pilot and injuring another person on the ground. The other prototypes: HB-HZA, HB-HZC and HB-HZD, are still flying.

Design
The PC-21 is a completely new aircraft design. The aircraft features a tandem-seating arrangement (student in-front/instructor behind) in a bird strike resistant glass canopy with all round vision, glass cockpit with three large colour liquid crystal displays (LCD), head-up displays (HUD), Hands on Throttle and Stick (HOTAS) controls and Zero-zero ejection seats for student and instructor.

Operational history
Six PC-21 have been delivered to the Swiss Air Force, the first four being delivered in April 2008. In December 2010, the Swiss air force ordered another two.

On 21 January 2008, the first PC-21 for the Republic of Singapore Air Force completed its flight test prior to being accepted into service. On 13 July 2008, the type began to provide the RSAF with basic flying training. A further six aircraft have now been delivered with the remaining seven expected to be delivered in August 2008.

During the 2009 Dubai Airshow, UAE announced an order of 25 PC-21 for the United Arab Emirates Air Force to replace their aging fleet of Pilatus PC-7s. UAEAF's first PC-21 made its maiden on 22 November 2010, deliveries expected to commence from first quarter of 2011.

The PC-21 has been offered to the Royal Australian Air Force as part of project AIR 5428 to replace its Pilatus PC-9s. Moreover, the PC-21 has been evaluated by the Spanish Air Force, along the T-6 Texan II and the PZL-130 Orlik III, as a possible substitute for its ENAER T-35 Pillan and CASA C-101 Aviojet trainer aircraft.

Operators

 * Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)
 * 130 Eagle Sqn - 19 PC-21s operating in the basic training role by the RSAF Flight Training School based at RAAF Base Pearce in Australia. The squadron has transitioned from the SIAI-Marchetti S.211 (in service with the RSAF since 1984) beginning June 2008.
 * 130 Eagle Sqn - 19 PC-21s operating in the basic training role by the RSAF Flight Training School based at RAAF Base Pearce in Australia. The squadron has transitioned from the SIAI-Marchetti S.211 (in service with the RSAF since 1984) beginning June 2008.


 * Swiss Air Force operates 8 PC-21s for advanced training, replacing the BAe Hawk which had been retired since 2003.
 * Swiss Air Force operates 8 PC-21s for advanced training, replacing the BAe Hawk which had been retired since 2003.


 * United Arab Emirates Air Force: operates 25 PC-21s for advanced training, first flight made on 22 November 2010.
 * United Arab Emirates Air Force: operates 25 PC-21s for advanced training, first flight made on 22 November 2010.


 * Royal Saudi Air Force: 55 PC-21 on order, ordered May 2012, first delivery scheduled for 2014.
 * Royal Saudi Air Force: 55 PC-21 on order, ordered May 2012, first delivery scheduled for 2014.


 * Qatar Emiri Air Force: 24 PC-21 on order, ordered July 2012, first delivery scheduled for 2014.
 * Qatar Emiri Air Force: 24 PC-21 on order, ordered July 2012, first delivery scheduled for 2014.