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Aviation / Aerospace

Pilatus PC-9


Twin-Seat, Single-Engine Basic Trainer Aircraft [ 1984 ]



Developed from the Pilatus PC-7, the PC-9 serves as a basic and advanced two-seat trainer for many global operators.



Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 09/30/2020 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

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The Pilatus PC-9 is a successful twin-seat basic training aircraft used in military circles to provide future pilots and combat airmen their first taste of flight. The aircraft emerged from Swiss-based Pilatus Aircraft in the mid-1980s and has found global respect from flyers despite its modest production total of 265 units. The type, developed from the earlier PC-7 model of similar form and function, went on to form the basis of the American Beechcraft / Raytheon T-6 "Texan II" basic trainer (detailed on this site) currently used by the U.S. military.

A first-flight of the PC-9 was had on May 7th, 1984 and certification followed in September of 1985. Production has been ongoing since 1984. Military operators have ranged from Angola and Australia to Thailand and the United States.

The arrangement of the PC-9 is conventional with a straight-wing mainplane configuration used. The mainplanes are seated at midships as is the tandem-seat cockpit sporting a large, curved canopy offering excellent vision out-of-the-cockpit. The cockpit sits aft of a long nose section housing the single engine installation. The tail unit showcases a single vertical tail fin and low-set horizontal planes. The undercarriage, wholly-retractable, utilizes two single-wheeled main legs (under each wing element) and a single-wheeled nose leg. Internally, the cockpits are a mix of steam-style gauges and display units. The control stick is at center, between the knees, and the throttle is set to portside. Controls are doubled for student and instructor positions. Both airmen are afforded ejection seats.

Variants include the basic, and original, PC-9 model. The PC-9/A became a basic trainer for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and was built locally under license by Hawker de Havilland. The PC-9B was a two-seat target-tower for the German Air Force and the PC-9M followed in 1997. The M-model introduced a revised tail fin and wingroots as well as other subtle changes.

The PC-9M featured an empty weight of 3,805lb against an MTOW of 5,180lb. Power is from a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-62 turboprop engine developing 1,150 horsepower providing speeds of 370 miles per hour with a range out to 955 miles and a service ceiling up to 38,000 feet. Rate-of-climb is 4,100 feet-per-minute.

Pilatus then teamed with American-based Beechcraft to offer the PC-9 Mk.2 for the JPATS program. This model became the T-6A Texan II in service with the USAF and USN.

While typically unarmed, the PC-9 has three hardpoints under each wing and can carry various load outs for training purposes or light strike sorties.©MilitaryFactory.com
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

September 2020 - The Royal Thai Air Force has committed to the purchase of 12 T-6C basic trainers. The order includes training and spare parts for the fleet. These will be used to succeed an aging fleet of Pilatus PC-9M aircraft in same role. The deal was announced on September 28th, 2020.

Specifications



Pilatus - Switzerland / Hawker de Havilland - Australia
Manufacturer(s)
Angola; Australia; Bulgaria; Croatia; Chad; Cyprus; Germany; Iraq; Ireland; Mexico; Myanmar; Oman; Saudi Arabia; Slovenia; Switzerland; Thailand; United Kingdom; United States
Operators National flag of Angola National flag of Australia National flag of Bulgaria National flag of Chad National flag of Croatia National flag of Cyprus National flag of modern Germany National flag of Iraq National flag of Ireland National flag of Mexico National flag of Myanmar National flag of Oman National flag of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia National flag of Slovenia National flag of Switzerland National flag of Thailand National flag of the United Kingdom National flag of the United States
1984
Service Year
Switzerland
National Origin
Active
Project Status
2
Crew
265
Units


CLOSE-AIR SUPPORT
Developed to operate in close proximity to active ground elements by way of a broad array of air-to-ground ordnance and munitions options.
TRAINING
Developed ability to be used as a dedicated trainer for student pilots (typically under the supervision of an instructor).


33.3 ft
(10.15 meters)
Length
33.2 ft
(10.12 meters)
Width/Span
10.7 ft
(3.25 meters)
Height
3,803 lb
(1,725 kilograms)
Empty Weight
7,055 lb
(3,200 kilograms)
Maximum Take-Off Weight
+3,252 lb
(+1,475 kg)
Weight Difference


1 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-62 turboprop engine developing 1,150 horsepower driving a four-bladed propeller unit at the nose.
Propulsion
370 mph
(595 kph | 321 knots)
Max Speed
37,992 ft
(11,580 m | 7 miles)
Ceiling
957 miles
(1,540 km | 832 nm)
Range
4,100 ft/min
(1,250 m/min)
Rate-of-Climb


MACH Regime (Sonic)
Sub
Trans
Super
Hyper
HiHyper
ReEntry
RANGES (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hi-Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: >19030


OPTIONAL:
Conventional drop stores and gunpods across six underwing hardpoints (three to a wing).


6
Hardpoints


PC-9 - Base Series Designation; original production model.
PC-9/A - Basic trainer for the RAAF; 48 examples by Hawker de havilland.
PC-9B - Target-tower for German Air Force
PC-9M - Model of 1997; revised tail fin and wingroots.
Beech Pilatus PC-9 Mk.2 - Joint marketing for the JPATS program, becoming the Raytheon Texan II trainer for the USAF and USN services.


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Images



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Image of the Pilatus PC-9
Image from the Untied States Department of Defense DVIDS imagery database.
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Image of the Pilatus PC-9
Image from the Untied States Department of Defense DVIDS imagery database.
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Image of the Pilatus PC-9
Image from the Untied States Department of Defense DVIDS imagery database.
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Image of the Pilatus PC-9
Image from the Untied States Department of Defense DVIDS imagery database.
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Image of the Pilatus PC-9
Image from the Untied States Department of Defense DVIDS imagery database.
6 / 8
Image of the Pilatus PC-9
Image from the Untied States Department of Defense DVIDS imagery database.
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Image of the Pilatus PC-9
Image from the Untied States Department of Defense DVIDS imagery database.
8 / 8
Image of the Pilatus PC-9
Image from the Untied States Department of Defense DVIDS imagery database.

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