Skip to content
Vincony — fast, managed web hosting for your next site
The Pilots Desk
Trainerstrainer aircraft family by Pilatus of Switzerland

Pilatus PC-7

Pilatus PC-7

The Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer is a low-wing tandem-seat training aircraft, designed and manufactured in Switzerland by Pilatus Aircraft. The aircraft is capable of all basic training functions, including aerobatics, instrument, tactical, and night flying. The PC-7 was developed from the preceding piston-powered Pilatus P-3, largely differing by the adoption of a turboprop engine, a bubble canopy, and a new one-piece wing. Introduced during the 1970s, it has since developed a sizable presence of the global trainer market. The type has been adopted by in excess of twenty air forces as their ab initio trainer, as well as multiple civilian operators. Over one million hours have reportedly been flown by PC-7s worldwide. In addition to training operations, some aircraft are armed and have been used for combat missions by several customers, including Chad, Iran, and Mexico, often in violation of the relevant export agreement between the customer and the Swiss government. An improved model of the aircraft, the PC-7 Mk.II M, was developed during the 1990s, by combining the newer airframe and avionics from the PC-9 with the PC-7's smaller turbine engine. Reportedly, in excess of 600 PC-7s have been sold to various operators, the majority of which are in service. In Pilatus' range of aircraft, the PC-7 has been succeeded by the newer PC-9 and PC-21 trainers.

Summary from Wikipedia, photo via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA.

Manufacturer
Pilatus Aircraft
Category
Trainers
Country of origin
Switzerland
First flight
1966-04-12
Length
10.13 m
Wingspan
10.4 m

Specifications

Cruise speed
171 kt
Max speed
270 kt
Range
650 nm
Service ceiling
33,010 ft
Rate of climb
2,150 ft/min
Max takeoff weight
5,952 lb
Empty weight
2,932 lb
Fuel capacity
125 US gal
Powerplant
Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-25A
Engines
1
Seats
2
Length
32.1 ft
Wingspan
34.3 ft
Height
10.5 ft
Number built
618

Specifications are approximate and may vary by variant. Compiled from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).

Reference and training only. Specifications vary by variant — consult the manufacturer and the official documents.