Pilatus Aircraft has announced the first of 49 PC-21 aircraft destined for the ADF has successfully completed its initial production test flight at the factory in Stans, Switzerland. The flight took place only seven months after contract signature.
Under a $1.2 billion contract signed in December 2015 aimed at harmonising ADF flight training across all three services – Army, Navy and Air Force – Pilatus will deliver a total of 49 PC-21 which will operate from four Royal Australian Air Force bases. Pilatus will also supply significant elements of ground based training equipment and the in-service support capability.
This first PC-21, registered as A54-001, will be handed over to the RAAF at East Sale in June 2017 after completion of testing and verification work in both Switzerland and Australia.
“This initial flight of the first Australian PC-21, only seven months after contract signature, is a remarkable achievement and illustrates both the commitment of Pilatus and the hard work of all those involved in the project,” Pilatus chairman Oscar J. Schwenk said.
Under the Air 5428 project, the PC-21 aircraft will replace both the aging PC-9 fleet, which has been in service since 1988, and also the CT-4 aircraft currently used for basic training. The PC-9 is due to be withdrawn in 2019 after thirty years of service and more than 500,000 flying hours.
Lockheed Martin will provide overall project management for the pilot training system and deliver a family of integrated ground-based training technologies. Pilatus Aircraft will provide PC-21 turboprop training aircraft and through-life engineering and airworthiness support. Hawker Pacific will provide maintenance services and fleet support and leverage its established supply chain in Australia.
“This is a true testament to our teammate Pilatus and a proven aircraft that will form the backbone of future pilot training for the ADF for the next 25 years. We offer our congratulations on this first significant step,“ CEO Lockheed Martin ANZ Raydon Gates said.