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2021-08-01

French Air Force Reinforces Training with Order of 9 PC-21

In 2017, the French Air and Space Force (Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace) purchased 17 PC-21s and has successfully trained its future military pilots on the modern training system since then. The Air Force has now ordered a further nine PC-21s to reinforce its training programme with additional Pilatus training aircraft.

The new French Air Force order highlights the efficiency of the Pilatus training system. The PC-21s will be deployed to train future military pilots who will subsequently step up to the nation’s multi-role lead-fighter. The PC-21s all are set to replace the twin-engine jet trainers, which were previously used for pilot training.

The French procurement authority, the Direction générale de l’armement (DGA), signed the agreement with F-AIR 21 (Cognac Formation Aero SAS France), with Pilatus acting as the exclusive subcontractor for the supply of the nine PC-21s and other ground-based training systems and spare parts. The order will secure jobs in Switzerland, where the PC-21s are produced.

Markus Bucher, CEO, Pilatus said: “French evaluations are highly professional, which again proves to us that we offer one of the world’s best training systems in this market. I am delighted that the Armée de l’air et de l’espace has opted for further PC-21s.”

The PC-21s will be stationed at the Cognac-Châteaubernard air base from 2023, where PC-21s have been in use since 2018. The first pilots concluded their training in 2020. With the latest order, the PC-21 fleet will increase to a total of 26.

Besides Switzerland and Spain, France is the third European nation to adopt the PC-21. Over 230 PC-21s are now in service with nine air forces worldwide. The PC-21 is also used to train future test pilots at the Empire Test Pilots’ School in Boscombe Down, England.

Efficient Training System

To train the next generation of military pilots, Pilatus developed the next generation trainer – the PC-21, designed and built specifically with student pilots in mind. Given the ever-tighter cost pressure on air force budgets, the completely newly developed PC-21 offers a highly efficient, smart platform for training jet pilots. The PC-21 has extremely high equipment and performance features to meet this need. The system provides the single-engine turboprop with a mission spectrum that was previously reserved exclusively for jets.

Furthermore, the PC-21 is more cost-effective to operate than a conventional jet trainer. Feedback from existing PC-21 customers confirms that the Pilatus training system delivers a reduction of over 50 per cent in the cost of training a prospective military pilot. Flight simulators and other ground-based learning materials also contribute to this integrated concept.

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