The Pilatus PC-21 is a turboprop-powered advanced trainer with a stepped tandem cockpit. It is manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland.
Development
In November 1997 Pilatus flew a modified PC-7 Mk.II in order to test improvements for a prospective next generation turboprop trainer. As a result of these tests, Pilatus elected to fund the development of a new training system in November 1998; development of the new trainer, designated as the PC-21, formally started in January 1999. In May 2002 Pilatus announced that it aimed for the PC-21 to capture 50% of the global trainer aircraft market between 2005 and 2030.
From the start of the aircraft's development, Pilatus aimed for the type to have a predictable cost profile over its full lifespan. To meet this goal, the firm chose to incorporate modern materials, an innovative design concept, and full-scale fatigue analysis. In May 2003, Pilatus management formally green-lit the program to proceed to full development.
On 13 January 2005, the second of the two development aircraft crashed in Buochs, Switzerland, while conducting an aerobatic training flight; the accident resulted in the death of the pilot as well as injuring another person on the ground. In response to the accident, the other PC-21 was grounded for several weeks until Swiss authorities had established that there was no sign of technical malfunction. In August 2006, it was announced that crash investigators had concluded that pilot error had been a primary cause. In late August 2005, the first pre-series production PC-21 performed its maiden flight.
Design
thumb|A PC-21 on static display, 2009
The Pilatus PC-21 is an advanced single-engine trainer aircraft; it is often referred to by Pilatus as being the "Twenty-first Century Trainer". The flight controls, which are fully balanced and harmonized, are optimized for ease of operation and overall effectiveness.
thumb|left|Underside of a PC-21 in flight
A key feature of the PC-21 is the embedded simulation and training suite, which provides cross-platform cockpit emulation, weapons simulation, stores management system, simulated radar and electronic warfare, a tactical situation display, and data link functionality. Key to this is the Mission Support System (MSS), which comprises the Mission Planning System (MPS) and Mission Debriefing System (MDS); data can be loaded and unloaded from these, which is compatible with ground-based stations for pre-flight configuration or post-mission analysis. Critical and non-critical software are also deliberately separated. The trim gauge is the only analogue dial in the cockpit. The multi-sensor navigation system is capable of operating under a military tactical mode as well as a civil navigation mode. in September 2015, it was announced that the consortium comprising Lockheed Martin, Pilatus and Hawker Pacific ("Team 21"), had won the bid to provide 49 PC-21s to the Australian Defence Force.
France
In January 2017, Pilatus received a contract for 17 PC-21s by the French Department of Defense as a new training aircraft. On 31 August 2018, France's defence procurement agency Direction générale de l'armement announced the arrival of the first two PC-21s. The delivery of the remaining aircraft is scheduled to be completed in 2019.
In 2024, the PC-21 was used by the French Air Force as a surveillance aircraft during the 2024 Paris Olympics Game.
Jordan
In August 2015, Pilatus received a contract to deliver nine PC-9Ms to the Royal Jordanian Air Force, but in April 2016 changed the order to eight PC-21s. Deliveries were due to start in January 2017 under the original deal.
Qatar
In July 2012, it was announced that the Qatar Air Force had placed an order for a complete pilot training system from Pilatus centering upon the PC-21. The package included ground-based training devices, logistical support and maintenance in addition to 24 PC-21 aircraft. On 1 October 2014, the Qatar Air Force formally received its first batch of PC-21 trainers.
Saudi Arabia
On 23 May 2012, Saudi Arabia signed a £1.6 billion ($2.5 billion) contract for a comprehensive next-generation military pilot training system, comprising 22 BAE Systems Hawk advanced jet trainers in addition to 55 PC-21 trainers. In early June 2014, Pilatus commenced delivery of the first six PC-21s to Saudi Arabia; by the end of 2015, this had risen to 46 PC-21s delivered.
Singapore
In November 2006, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) awarded a service contract to Lockheed Martin Simulation, Training and Support (LMSTS) to deliver 19 PC-21 aircraft, to support the RSAF's Basic Wings training course at RAAF Base Pearce in Australia under a public–private partnership (PPP) arrangement, replacing the SIAI-Marchetti S.211. Singapore was the first export customer for the PC-21. On 21 January 2008, the first RSAF PC-21 completed its flight test prior to being accepted into service. On 13 July 2008, the type began to provide the RSAF with basic flying training, by which point a further six aircraft had been delivered.
Spain
The PC-21 has been evaluated by the Spanish Air Force (along with the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II and the PZL-130 Orlik III), to serve as the gradual replacement for their older training aircraft models ENAER T-35 Pillan and CASA C-101 Aviojet trainer aircraft.
January 2020 saw the Spanish Air Force confirm an order for 24 of a total 40 PC‑21 aircraft. The first two examples arrived in September 2021, and the initial batch from that first order was completed in June 2022. Deliveries of the second batch of 16 aircraft —announced in 2023— began in June 2025.
PC-21 aircraft will replace the CASA C-101 Aviojet, but will also take over advanced training, which is currently carried out on the T-35 Pillan.
As an incidental detail, during the military training programme for the heir to the Spanish throne, Her Royal Highness the Princess of Asturias, Doña Leonor, completed her training and her first solo flight in one of the received Pilatus aircraft.
Switzerland
thumb|A PC-21 landing at [[RAF Fairford, England, 2010]]
In the Armament Program 2006, the Swiss Parliament approved an initial purchase of the PC-21 for the Swiss Air Force. By April 2008, four PC-21 have been accepted by the Swiss Air Force following the passing of acceptance trials, and flight operations were set to start in July that year. In December 2010, the Swiss Air Force placed an order for another two aircraft.
United Arab Emirates
During the 2009 Dubai Airshow, the United Arab Emirates announced an order of 25 PC-21 trainers for the United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAEAF) to replace its aging fleet of Pilatus PC-7s. On 22 November 2010, the UAEAF's first PC-21 performed its maiden flight.
Canada
On May 19, 2026, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) announced a decision to purchase the CT-157 Siskin II (Pilatus PC21) to replace the current CT-114 Tutor fleet. The new aircraft will serve as both a training and air demonstration aircraft. This decision marks the end of an era for the famous Snowbirds air demonstration squadron, which has been in service since 1971. The new fleet will be operational in the early 2030s and will be based at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
Operators
thumb|400px|right|Main countries in which the Swiss Pilatus PC-21 aircraft operates in the world.
thumb|upright|Pair of PC-21s, 2004
Current operators
; (49)
: Royal Australian Air Force: 49 ordered September 2015, deliveries completed November 2019.
; (1 delivered + 18 on order)
: SkyAlyne was selected to train the future Canadian Air Force pilot in cooperation with CAE and KF Aerospace through the programme FAcT (Future Aircrew Training). The pilots will be trained on Grob 120TP (CT-102B Astra II), PC-21 (CT-157 Siskin II), King Air 260 (CT-145E Expeditor II), H135 (CT-153 Juno) and Dash 8-400 (CT-142Q Citadel) depending on the assignment.
: The purchase was confirmed in November 2024.
: The first delivery took place in May 2026.
; (17 + 9)
: French Air and Space Force (Armée de l'air et de l'espace): 17 ordered January 2017, all delivered by August 2019, 9 additional ordered in 2021 to be delivered in 2023.
; (12)
: Royal Jordanian Air Force: 12 delivered as of August 2019 (8 ordered in 2015 instead of 9 PC-9M, 2 additional option converted in October 2016, 2 additional ordered in January 2017.
; (24)
: Qatar Emiri Air Force: 24 ordered July 2012, first delivery in 2014.
; (55)
: Royal Saudi Air Force: 55 ordered May 2012, first delivery in 2014., the deliveries of the first batch took place in:
:** September 2021, first two PC-21 delivered
:** Last in mid-2022
:* 16 ordered in March 2023, the deliveries of the first batch took place in:
:** First in June 2024
:** Last in November 2025.
; (8)
: Swiss Air Force: operates 8 for advanced training, replacing the BAe Hawk which had been retired in 2003.
; (25)
: United Arab Emirates Air Force: operates 25 for advanced training, first flight made on 22 November 2010. CHF 520 million deal
Future operators
;
: Royal Canadian Air Force: On May 19, 2026, the RCAF announced that the PC-21 will replace the Canadair CT-114 Tutor currently used by the Snowbirds (aerobatic team). The number of aircraft to be acquired has not yet been announced, but is expected to be between 11 and 17 based on prior proposals. 2026 will be the last Snowbirds season using the Tutor and subsequent seasons will use the PC-21/CT-157 Siskin II.
; (24)
: Order in March 2026 of 24 PC-21 and 12 PC-24 for the training of pilots.
Potential customers
;
: Croatian Air Force: The French company Defense Conseil International has proposed the establishment of a center for the training of fighter pilots in Pula, Croatia. The aircraft on which the training would be carried out would be the PC-21.
;
: Bulgarian Air Force: The Bulgarian Ministry of Defence will be in talks with Pilatus Aircraft to acquire PC-21 to replace its PC-9M (and possibly the L-39) as part of the F-16 Block 70 modernisation project.
;
: Royal Malaysian Air Force
;
: Swedish Air Force: requires a successor for its Saab 105 fleet. A strong contender is the T-7 Red Hawk, partially designed and manufactured by Saab, however the price of the PC-21 is an advantage.
;
: Pilatus joined the tender process for the replacement of the BAE Hawk of the Royal Air Force.
Specifications (PC-21)
thumb|The Pilatus PC-21; note the stepped tandem cockpit