Nov 11, 2015 ASDNews Source : Pilatus Aircraft Ltd

The successful handover of the 75th Pilatus PC-7 MkII Training Aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF) at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal marks the final aircraft delivery milestone under the contract between Pilatus and the Government of India’s Ministry of Defence which was signed on the 24th of May 2012. The introduction of the PC-7 MkII Training System has enabled the IAF to revolutionise their basic pilot training capability.

The arrival of the first of 75 Pilatus PC-7 MkII trainer aircraft in February 2013 signified the beginning of a new era for pilot training in the IAF.

Commenting on the delivery of the 75th aircraft with its “commemorative livery”, Jim Roche VP Government Aviation & Deputy CEO of Pilatus says:

“We are extremely pleased to have completed delivery of all PC-7 MkII trainer aircraft well ahead of the original IAF schedule requirement. Delivering and supporting the IAF’s Basic Flight Training requirements has been a remarkable experience and we remain fully committed to supporting the fleet’s in-service operations with equal efficiency and competence.”

The PC-7 MkII trainer aircraft has achieved some outstanding performance benchmarks at Dundigal. Since the first delivery in February 2013, the PC-7 MkII fleet has flown more than 40,000 hours and accumulated well over 80,000 landings.

The PC-7 MkII has enabled the IAF to increase the basic training syllabus in terms of flight hours by 220 percent compared to previous operations and also increase the solo content from 1 to 14 sorties. The PC-7 MkII Training System has successfully proven its effectiveness and validates the decision by the IAF to operate the most advanced Basic Flight Training aircraft in the world – the PC-7 MkII.

15/07/2013 Helen Chachaty - journal-aviation.com

Pilatus a annoncé que la formation de l’armée de l’air indienne sur PC-7 MkII avait débuté le 8 juillet dernier à l’Indian Air Force Academy de Dundigal. Ce sont pour l’instant huit « cadets » qui participent à la formation.

L’industriel suisse Pilatus et l’Indian Air Force avaient signé un contrat en mai 2012 pour la fabrication et la livraison de 75 avions d’entraînement basique PC-7 MkII, pour plus de 400 millions d’euros. Quatorze avions ont été livrés depuis, l’admission au service actif ayant elle été prononcée le 31 mai dernier.

Le Pilatus PC-7 MkII est en service depuis 1994. Motorisé par un PT6A-25C de Pratt & Whitney, l’avion d’entraînement basique partage la même cellule et le même système avionique que le PC-9M.