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Pilatus P-3 Page
Pilatus P-3 "A-848" Page
This site is a log of some of the flying I have done over the past 15 years at more than 130 airports, in 60+ airplanes. The main page covers the history of my aircraft, a Pilatus P3-05 that was used by the Swiss Air Force for training.
These two pictures show A-848, a Pilatus P-3 used by the Swiss Air Force. This plane was used for training from 1959 to 1983, and as a liason aircraft from 1983 to its retirement in 1990. 78 P-3 aircraft were produced for the Swiss Air Force and the Brazilian Navy. This plane then evolved into several generations of military training aircraft which are still used today. Pilatus, based in Stans, Switzerland, manufactured the P-3.
Evolution of the P-3
Pilatus P3  1953-1959
The Pilatus P-3 was used by the Swiss Air Force and the Brazilian Navy as a training aircraft. 78 planes were produced, and the Swiss Air Force operated them until 1990. The plane has a 260hp Lycoming GO-435 engine with a max weight of 3470lb.
Pilatus PC-7  1978-Current
The Pilatus PC-7 is an evolution of the P-3 with a 550hp PT-6 turboprop, and structural modifications. The PC-7 prototype (a modified P-3) first flew in 1966. The aircraft entered production in 1978 and more than 450 have been produced for countries such as: Switzerland, Mexico, Chile, Malaysia, Austria, and the Netherlands. Max takeoff weight is 5940lb.
Pilatus PC-7 MK II  1992- Current
The PC-7 MK II contains parts of the PC-9 and parts of the PC-7 it has the fuselage and ejection seats of the PC-9 with a lower powered engine. South Africa and Brunei both operate a total of 64 of the PC-7 MK II. The engine is a Pratt & Whitney PT-6 and the max weight is 6270lb.
Pilatus PC-9  1984-Current
The PC-9 is a significantly upgraded PC-7 with a 950hp turboprop, pressurized cockpit, and ejection seats. The PC-9 is used by numerous air forces including Switzerland, Austria, Thailand, and Saudi Arabia. Approximately 250 have been produced. Max takeoff weight is 7055lb.
Raytheon T-6A Texan II   2000-Current
The T-6A is the current US Air Force and US Navy training aircraft. Raytheon/Beech licensed the design to the PC-9 and increased the power to 1100hp for production in the US. The USAF and USN plan on purchasing up to 711 aircraft. The T-6A is also used by the NATO Flight School in Canada, and the Greek Air Force. Current price is $6.2M.
Pilatus PC-21 2004-Current
The PC-21 is the latest evolution of the PC-9 with a new wing and a 1600hp engine. Currently only 2 prototypes exist and no production orders have yet been placed.
Contact Information:
Last Updated 1/2/2006

 

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