Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer
Type (Muster)
Turboprop trainer (Schulflugzeug mit Turboprop-Antrieb)

Country (Land)
Switzerland (Schweiz)

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Pilatus Flugzeugwerke AG
6371 Stans
Switzerland

Phone: 0041-41/619-6111
Fax: 0041-41/610-9230

General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 2 in tandem

Power plant (Antrieb): 1 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-25A turboprop
Power (Leistung): 485 kW (650 sph) flat rating for take off (from 650 shp)
Propeller: Hartzell HC-B3TN-2 three-blade, constant speed

Noise level: 73 dB(A) or 79,5 dB(A) at utility weights, according to ICAO Annex 16

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Length (Lnge): 9,77 m
Height (Hhe): 3,21 m
Wing span (Spannweite): 10,40 m
Wing area (Flgelflche): 16,60 sq m
Wing aspect ration (Flgelstreckung): 6,52

Weights (Massen)
Basic empty weight (Leermasse): 1350 kg
Max. stores load (Max. Auenlast): 1040 kg on six wing stations
Max. fuel (Max. Kraftstoff): 474 litres in two integral wing tanks
Max. zero-fuel weight (Max. Masse ohne Kraftstoff): 1664 kg
Max. ramp weight (Max. Rollmasse): 1910 kg or 2710 kg
Max. take-off weight (Max. Startmasse): 1900 kg or 2700 kg in utility configuration
Max. landing weight (Max. Landemasse): 1900 kg or 2565 kg

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. level speed (Hchstgeschwindigkeit): Mach 0.55
Max. cruise speed (max. Reisegeschwindigkeit): 500 km/h (270 kts)
Economical cruise speed (wirtschaftliche Reisegeschw.): 317 km/h at 6100 m
Stalling speed (berziehgeschwindigkeit): 118 km/h with flaps and gear down, idle
Max. climb rate (max. Steigrate): 11,08 m/s
Service ceiling (Dienstgipfelhhe): 10060 m (33000 ft)
Take-off run (Startrollstrecke): 240 m at sea level or 780 m at utility weight
Take-off to 15 m (Startstrecke ber 15-m-Hindernis): 400 m at sea level, 590 m at 8000 ft
Landing distance from 15 m (Landestreckeber 15-m-Hindernis): 510 m at sea level or 625 m at 8000 ft
Landing run (Landerollstrecke): 295 m at sea level or 505 m at utility weight
Range (Reichweite): 797 km at sea level, 1353 km at 20000 ft, with reserves
Endurance (Einsatzdauer): 4 h 22 min at 20000 ft
g-limits: + 6/- 3 g at aerobatic weight, + 4,5/- 2,25 in utility

Costs (Kosten)
No details available

Customers (Kunden)
By the end of 1998, Pilatus had sold around 440 PC-7s. Among the customers are:

    * Angola: 25, delivered from 1982
    * Austria: 16, delivered from Octobr 1983
    * Bolivia: 24, delivered from April 1979
    * Bophuthatswana: 2, delivered from December 1989, later to South Africa and returned to Pilatus
    * Botswana: 7, delivered from February 1990
    * Chile: 10, delivered from May 1980
    * France: 5, delivered 1991
    * Guatemala: 12, delivered from April 1980
    * Iran: 35, delivered from 1983
    * Iraq: 52, delivered from July 1980
    * Malaysia: 46, delivered from February 1983
    * Mexico: 88, delivered from July 1970
    * Myanmar: 17, deliverd from 1979
    * Netherlands: 13, delivered from January 1989
    * Suriname: 3, delivered from October 1986
    * Switzerland: 40, delivered from August 1979
    * UAE (Abu Dhabi): 31, delivered from April 1982
    * Uruguay: 6, delivered from 1992
    * Civil: 7+


Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The PC-7 is based on the piston-powered P-3. A modified testbed flew as early as April 1966, but after a crash the programme was shelved. In 1973 another P-3 was obtained from the Swiss air force for modification, flying for the first time on 12 May 1975. Further extensive modifications followed, including a new, one-piece wing with integral tanks, altered tail and fin, bubble canopy etc.
The first production aircraft was flown on 18 August 1978. Swiss civil certification followed on 5 December that year, and deliveries started immediately. Well over one million hours flown now by PC-7s worldwide.
