Pilatus PC-9

The Pilatus PC-9 is a single-engine, low-wing tandem-seat turboprop training aircraft manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland. Designed as a more powerful evolution of the Pilatus PC-7, the PC-9's first flight was made in May 1984 after which certification was achieved in September 1985. After this, the first production orders for the type were received from the Royal Saudi Air Force, with deliveries commencing in 1985. Since then, more than 250 airframes have been produced across five different variants and the type is employed by a number of military and civilian operators around the world, including the Swiss Air Force, the Royal Australian Air Force, and the Royal Thai Air Force.

Variants

• PC-9: Two-seat basic trainer aircraft.
• PC-9/A: Two-seat basic trainer for the Royal Australian Air Force. 48 built under license in Australia by de Havilland Australia.
• PC-9B: Two-seat target-towing aircraft for the German Air Force. This target-towing version has an increased fuel capacity enabling flight for up to 3 hours and 20 minutes as well as two Southwest RM-24 winches under the wings. These winches can reel out a target up to 3.5 kilometers.
• PC-9M: This version was introduced in 1997 as the new standard model. It has an enlarged dorsal fin in order to improve longitudinal stability, modified wingroot fairings, stall strips on the leading edges as well as new engine and propeller controls. Croatia bought 17 new examples in 1997; Slovenia placed an order for nine (nicknamed Hudournik – "Swift") in December of the same year; Oman ordered 12 examples in January 1999; and Ireland signed a contract for eight in January 2003. Bulgaria purchased 12 aircraft in 2004. The last order was made by Mexico, which received at least two in September 2006.
• PC-9M Mk.II: In order to compete in the United States JPATS competition, Pilatus and Beechcraft developed an extensively modified version of the PC-9, initially called the Beech Pilatus PC-9 Mk.II which won out over seven other contenders. It was later renamed the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II and is now built and marketed independently by Beechcraft. Over 700 are to be built for the United States Air Force and United States Navy, with Pilatus receiving royalties.

Users

• Afghanistan
  • Afghan Air Force - see Beechcraft T-6 Texan II
• Angola
  • Angolan Air Force
• Australia
  • Royal Australian Air Force
• Bulgaria
  • Bulgarian Air Force
• Croatia
  • Croatian Air Force
• Chad
  • Chadian Air Force
• Cyprus
  • Cyprus Air Force
• Germany
  • Luftwaffe
• Indonesian Air Force
• Ireland
  • Irish Air Corps
• Mexico
  • Mexican Air Force
• Myanmar
  • Myanmar Air Force
• Oman
  • Royal Air Force of Oman
• Saudi Arabia
  • Royal Saudi Air Force
• Slovenia
  • Slovenian Air Force
• Switzerland
  • Swiss Air Force
• Thailand
  • Royal Thai Air Force
• United States
  • United States Army