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.