Pilatus P-3
Pilatus Aircraft · Switzerland · first flew 1953 · light aircraft
The Pilatus P-3 is a Swiss two-seat piston-engined military trainer that served as the standard primary and basic trainer of the Swiss Air Force from the mid-1950s.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.75 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- All-metal low-wing two-seat Swiss military trainer
- Single Lycoming or Continental piston engine with smooth NACA cowling
- Tandem enclosed cockpits with framed canopy
A clean, all-metal low-wing tandem-seat trainer with a circular NACA cowling, resembling the North American T-6 in layout but considerably more compact and with a fully enclosed canopy.
Specifications
- The Pilatus P-3 has a length of 8.75 m (29 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.15 m (37 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 310 km/h (193 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed and built by Pilatus Aircraft at Stans, the P-3 entered Swiss Air Force service in 1956. Rugged and reliable, it trained a generation of Swiss military pilots and proved highly capable in the demanding Alpine environment.
Variants
The P-3-03 and P-3-05 were the principal Swiss Air Force variants, differing in engine fit.
Where you'll see it
Operated exclusively by the Swiss Air Force from the mid-1950s until retirement; no export orders were placed.
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