The Pilatus PC-9 is a single-engine, low-wing tandem-seat turboprop training aircraft designed and manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland.

Developed as a more powerful evolution of the preceding Pilatus PC-7, the PC-9 features an enlarged cockpit and a ventral airbrake while possessing only a low level of structural commonality with its predecessor. During May 1985, the maiden flight of the prototype PC-9 was conducted; four months later, type certification was received and permitting deliveries to commence that same year. During the mid-1980s, Pilatus teamed up with British Aerospace to market the PC-9; the first production order for the type was placed by the Royal Saudi Air Force.

Production of the PC-9 has continued into the twenty-first century and in excess of 250 aircraft have been produced across five different variants. One of these variants, the Beechcraft T-6A Texan II, has been produced under licence by the American firm Beechcraft in the United States. The PC-9 has also been assembled by the Australian company Hawker de Havilland. The PC-9 has been employed by a number of military and civilian operators around the world, including the Swiss Air Force, Croatian Air Force, Royal Thai Air Force and the Irish Air Corps. It has been flown by aerobatics teams, such as the Royal Thai Air Force's Blue Phoenix and the Royal Australian Air Force's Roulettes. Furthermore, the type has occasionally been involved in combat operations.

Design and development

Background

The origins of the PC-9 can be traced back to the earlier PC-7 from which it evolved. This preceding trainer aircraft had been developed during the mid-1970s and became one of the most successful turboprop trainers of that decade.

During the early 1980s, Pilatus commenced work on a series of design studies towards what would become the PC-9.

On 22 March 1991, a pair of United States Air Force F-15C Eagles were patrolling over Iraqi airspace, as part of Operation Provide Comfort, when they detected two contacts on radar, after which the F-15s approached to visually identify them - a PC-9 and a Sukhoi Su-22. The Su 22 was promptly shot down by one F-15 while the pilot of the PC-9, upon becoming aware that they were being engaged, opted to eject from the aircraft. The F-15 confirmed the pilots’ parachute deployment and survival before flying in formation with the unoccupied PC-9 until it descended and crashed into the ground just under two minutes later.

Between 1991 and 1996, the United States Army operated three PC-9s as chase and test aircraft. These were eventually sold to Slovenia in 1995.

During the 1990s, Pilatus started production of the improved PC-9M. In 1997, Croatia bought 17 aircraft while neighbouring Slovenia also placed an order for nine (nicknamed Hudournik – "Swift") in December of that same year. During January 1999, Oman ordered 12 examples; four years later, Ireland also signed a contract for eight aircraft. In 2004, Bulgaria purchased 12 PC-9Ms. Mexico took delivery of at least two aircraft in September 2006. Fulfilment of the variant's final order, placed by Ireland for a single attrition replacement aircraft, took place in 2017.

Various operators have flown PC-9s in dedicated formation aerobatic display teams. For a time, it was used by the Roulettes of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). During 2012, the Royal Thai Air Force created the Blue Phoenix aerobatics team; it performs aerial displays using up to five PC-9s, which have a distinctive blue, white and red paint scheme and furnished with white smoke generators.

During 2008, Chad's operation of the PC-9 became politically controversial when the type was allegedly used to attack dissidents, which was considered to be a breach of Swiss export controls.

In August 2015, Pilatus received a contract to deliver nine PC-9Ms to the Royal Jordanian Air Force, however, during April 2016, this order was changed to eight Pilatus PC-21s instead. Deliveries were due to start in January 2017 under the original deal. The PC-21 is a newer and more capable trainer that had effectively succeeded the PC-9 during the 2010s.

Variants

thumb|Swiss Air Force PC-9 with Vista 5 Jammer

;PC-9

:Two-seat basic trainer aircraft.

;PC-9/A

: 67 two-seat trainers for the Royal Australian Air Force. Two fully built planes supplied by Pilatus, 17 assembled from kits and 48 built under licence in Australia by Hawker de Havilland.

;PC-9B

:Two-seat target-towing aircraft for the German Air Force. It was later renamed the Beechcraft T-6A Texan II and is presently built and marketed independently by Beechcraft while Pilatus receives royalties.

;B.F.19

:() Royal Thai Armed Forces designation for the PC-9.

Operators

Military operators

;

  • National Air Force of Angola

;

  • Bulgarian Air Force

;

  • Slovenian Air Force and Air Defence

thumb|right|RAAF PC-9/A operated by 2FTS

;

  • Iraqi Air Force

;

  • Royal Thai Air Force
  • A23-001 – RAAF Museum, RAAF Base Point Cook
  • A23-009 – gate guardian at RAAF Base Pearce
  • A23-020 – Fighter World, RAAF Base Williamtown
  • A23-022 – RAAF Base Townsville Aviation Heritage Centre
  • A23-028 – Fleet Air Arm Museum, HMAS Albatross
  • A23-030 – gate guardian at RAAF Base East Sale
  • A23-031 – RAAF Wagga Heritage Centre
  • A23-032 – RAAF Wagga Heritage Centre, in storage for eventual display at another location
  • A23-036 – gate guardian at RAAF Base East Sale

Specifications (PC-9M)

See also

References

Citations

Bibliography

  • Pilatus PC-9 Image Gallery