Pilatus PC-9
The Pilatus PC-9 is a swiss-made single-engine, low-wing tandem-seat turboprop training aircraft. The PC-9 programme officially started in 1982. The first flight of the first PC-9 prototype took place in 1984. Certification was achieved in 1985.
Variants
PC-9/A: Two-seat basic trainer for the Royal Australian Air Force. Built under licence in Australia by Hawker de Havilland. Croatia ordered three second-hand examples from the RAAF in 1997.
PC-9B: Two-seat target-towing aircraft for the German Luftwaffe. This target-towing version has an increased fuel capacity enabling flight for up to 3 hours and 20 minutes as well as two Southwest RM-24 winches under the wings. These winches can reel out a target up to 3.5 kilometres.
PC-9M: This version was introduced in 1997 as the new standard model. It has an enlarged dorsal fin in order to improve longitudinal stability, modified wingroot fairings, stall strips on the leading edges as well as new engine and propeller controls. Croatia bought 17 new units in 1997; Slovenia placed an order for nine (nicknamed Hudournik - "Swift") in December of the same year; Oman ordered 12 in 1999; and 8 for Ireland. Bulgaria purchased 12 aircraft in 2004. Mexico ordered 2 in 2006.
Beech Pilatus PC-9 Mk.2: In order to compete in the United States JPATS competition, Pilatus and Beechcraft developed an extensively modified version of the PC-9, called the Beech Pilatus PC-9 Mk. II which won out over seven other contenders. It was later renamed the T-6A Texan II and is now built and marketed independently by Beechcraft. Over 700 were built with Pilatus receiving royalties.
Pilatus Aircraft Limited - P.O. Box 992, 6371 Stans, Switzerland.
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