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2020-03-01

Spanish Air Force Opts for PC-21

The Spanish Air Force has become the third European air force to select the Swiss-produced PC-21. Called the ‘Next Generation Trainer’, Pilatus is committed to delivering a total of 24 of the single-engine turboprop trainer aircraft to Spain, with the PC-21s set replace the Casa C-101 jet trainers used since 1980.

The Spanish Ministry of Defence has been looking for a highly efficient training platform to provide advanced training for the country’s future military pilots, with Pilatus beating several prestigious competitors to win the tender with the PC-21 aircraft. A contract worth over 200 million euros has been signed with the Spanish Dirección General de Armamento y Material (DGAM) with the order including simulators in an integrated training system, spare parts and logistics support.

Pilatus Chairman Oscar J. Schwenk was happy to confirm that Spanish pilot training is expected to start in 2021 and that, “As a small Swiss aircraft manufacturer I’m delighted at our repeated success in winning through over large, international competitors. This result is proof that, with our PC-21, we can deliver the very best training system in the world.”

The PC-21 will provide Spain with one of the most advanced training systems in a cost-effective, ecologically viable training platform. Schwenk underlined that these single-engine turboprop aircraft require much less fuel than any comparable jet trainer: “I’m delighted to see us win a new air force to add to our existing customer portfolio. We shall provide Ejército del Aire with the first-class customer service they are entitled to expect from Pilatus”.

Integrated Training Packages

Providing an affordable product to match customers’ performance criteria is achieved by providing sophisticated and integrated packages. For years, people believed that single-engine turboprops would never replace jet trainers, but with defence budgets coming under increasing pressure, Pilatus has developed performance-related services specifically tailored to the PC-21 training system and the need to maintain these complex systems in mission-ready conditions.

For the PC-21 system, Pilatus has significantly expanded the design and performance envelope to take this single-engine turboprop into an area that was previously the exclusive domain of jet trainer aircraft. Now, in comparison to flying conventional trainer aircraft, the pilots destined to fly fighter aircraft do not need to transition to jets until much later, so reducing cost and training time.

Ab-Initio to Advanced Training

Being challenging and rewarding for the pilot preparing for the front-line, the PC-21 is as benign and easy to fly for the ab-initio student, while its capabilities make it ideally suited to a wide training envelope.

The PC-21 also provides significant advantages over traditional turboprops and jet trainers because it can be used from day one, so eliminating the need for an elementary flying training fleet while also bridging the performance gap between traditional turboprop trainers and expensive lead-in fighters.

Next Generation Airforce Training

The PC-21 boasts an innovative concept, modern materials and validation with a full-scale fatigue test, delivering an aircraft suitable for both conventional and performance-based operations.

The PC-21 design ensures a predictable operating cost profile, with existing PC-21 customers demonstrating that it is possible to achieve cost reductions of more than 50 per cent from student training to wings graduation.

Fully Customisable Systems Integration

Systems integration is at the heart of the PC-21 cockpit philosophy where, as an advanced trainer aircraft, the cockpit display and control systems are closely configured to match the latest generation front-line aircraft.

Trainees are exposed to an operational cockpit environment at the earliest stages of their training, enabling aircrew to acquire immediate skills of direct relevance to front-line aircraft.

Enhanced Phase Specific Training

The PC-21 is designed not only to satisfy the requirements for basic and advanced military pilot training, but to provide enhanced training for all aircrew in the following skills: mission planning and tactical navigation; mission system management; civil flight management; electronic warfare; and air-to-air or air-to-ground operations that include radar training, simulated weapons employment and the operation of night vision goggles.

The PC-21 is further enhanced by the ability to adapt aircraft avionics to the requirements of each training phase. The front and rear cockpits can be de-coupled for independent operation or to give instructors access to training modes and data otherwise unavailable to the trainee.

Maximising Ground Training Efficiency

The objective of a modern training system is to produce a pilot capable of meeting the demands of flying today’s sophisticated aircraft. With the increasing cost of equipment, resources and time, this goal needs to be achieved as economically as possible.

Preparation on the ground saves perspiration or even failure in the air, so by the time students fly they should be completely familiar with aircraft systems and avionics functionality. The PC-21 Ground-Based Training System, hence, translates student learning into an effective airborne context.

Air forces around the world have chosen the cost-effective, highly efficient training platform created by Pilatus, providing proof that the PC-21 is the training system of the future. Moreover, since the order for Spain was received in 2006, Pilatus has already sold 235 PC-21s to nine air forces including Singapore, Switzerland, UAE, France and Australia.

Reference Text/Photo:

www.pilatus-aircraft.com

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