Pilatus PC-21

The PC-21 is a turboprop powered advanced trainer which originates from Swiss manufacturer Pilatus. The PC-21 is designed to have a flight envelope that matches or surpasses a jet powered trainer allowing it to be used to train fast jet pilots at a fraction of the cost. The prototype first flew in 2002 and over 200 examples have been built since. The PC-21 incorporates a full simulation training suite which means that the aircraft can simulate a different aircraft type’s cockpit avionics, cockpit layout, sensors and weapon systems as required.

QinetiQ operate a wide variety of types as part of the Empite Test Pilots school including a pair of Pilatus PC-21s. The ETPS was established in 1943 and was the first test pilots school in the world and has the motto “Learn to test, test to learn”. The PC-21s on strength with the ETPS have been modified to train pilots in a variety of different scenarios they may experience when testing experimental aircraft.

QinetiQ will be providing a number of aircraft for static display at this year’s Air Tattoo as part of our Pushing the Boundaries theme. This will include one of the PC’21s.

Photo Credit: RIAT Volunteer