Pilatus PC-9
Pilatus Aircraft · Switzerland · first flew 1984 · fighter
The Pilatus PC-9 is a high-performance Swiss turboprop trainer that introduced the stepped tandem cockpit and ejection seats to the Pilatus trainer family, bridging the gap between the PC-7 and the PC-21.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turboprop, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 10.08 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Stepped tandem bubble canopy with the rear seat raised — cockpit profile more pronounced than the PC-7
- Slimmer dorsal fin fillet than the PC-9M; smaller overall spine bulge behind the canopy
- Single Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-62 turboprop with a four-blade prop on a shorter, less pointed spinner than the PC-21
Compared with the PC-7, the PC-9 has a raised rear seat creating a distinct stepped canopy and is longer overall. Distinguished from the PC-9M by its smaller dorsal fin fillet and from the PC-21 by its conventional rather than scimitar propeller and less aggressively swept wing leading edge.
Specifications
- The Pilatus PC-9 has a length of 10.08 m (33 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.13 m (33 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 593 km/h (368 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in May 1984, the PC-9 was developed to meet demand for a more powerful trainer than the PC-7, with a pressurised cockpit option and zero-zero ejection seats. It was adopted by Australia, Saudi Arabia, Myanmar, and several other nations.
Variants
The PC-9/A is the Australian variant built under licence by Hawker de Havilland. The PC-9M is an upgraded model with a modified dorsal fin, improved avionics, and structural changes — this is the definitive export version.
Where you'll see it
Serves with the Royal Australian Air Force as the primary basic trainer; the Swiss Air Force used it as a display aircraft. The PC-9M variant is the current production standard.
Related aircraft
- Pilatus PC-7 Mk II
- Pilatus B4
- Pilatus PC-8D Twin Porter
- Pilatus PC-7
- ALR Piranha
- AMX International AMX
- AMX-A
- AT-63 Pampa
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