Pilatus PC-7 Mk II

Pilatus Aircraft · Switzerland · first flew 1992 · light aircraft

The PC-7 Mk II is a hybrid trainer combining the PC-9 airframe with a smaller Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-25C engine, offering zero-zero ejection seats and a HOTAS cockpit at lower operating cost than the full PC-9.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	1 × turboprop, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	10.12 m fuselage
T — Tail	T-tail

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Spot it by:

PC-9-derived airframe mated with downrated PT6A-25C engine — longer and heavier than original PC-7
Zero-zero Martin-Baker ejection seats standard; HOTAS cockpit distinguishable at close range
T-tail and tandem seating similar to PC-9 but with smaller nose cowling profile

Distinguished from the original PC-7 by its PC-9-derived fuselage cross-section, which is visibly wider and deeper. The nose cowling is slightly smaller-diameter than the PC-9 owing to the less powerful engine. T-tail is characteristic.

Specifications

The Pilatus PC-7 Mk II has a length of 10.12 m (33 ft).
It has a wingspan of 10.4 m (34 ft).
Its maximum speed is 520 km/h (323 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Pilatus developed the Mk II in the early 1990s to meet a South African Air Force requirement for a modern basic trainer with full ejection-seat provision. First flight was 28 September 1992; the SAAF became the primary customer, acquiring the type as their standard basic jet-transition platform.

Variants

No major production sub-variants; individual customer batches may carry national designations.

Where you'll see it

South African Air Force is the dominant operator. The type bridges the gap between basic piston trainers and the higher-powered PC-9 for advanced lead-in training.

Related aircraft

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