Pilatus PC-7
History
The Pilatus PC-7 is based on the Pilatus P-3 and the first prototype, actually a P-3 of which the Lycoming engine was replaced by a P & W PT6A-20 turboprop, made its first flight in April 1966.
The program was seriously delayed by a crash and just in 1975 a second prototype, also a converted P-3, made its maiden flight.
There were all kinds of modifications, such as a new wing with integrated fuel tanks, a modified tail and a tear drop cockpit.
In August 1978 the first production exampled rolled out and by the end of the year, the type received its Swiss type certification.
Soon the delivery of the PC-7 to both civilian and military users followed.
The PC-7 Mk. II is actually a development of the PC-9, and adapted to the smaller of the turboprop PC-7. Goal was reducing the cost of operation and maintenance.
Versions.
- PC-7:
- two seat basic trainer with one Pratt & Whitney PT6A-25A rated 410 kW
- PC-7 Mk II:
- a development for the SAAF, based on the airframe and avionics of the PC-9, the wing of the PC-7 and one& Pratt & Whitney PT6A-25C rated 522 kW. In fact it is a hybrid of the PC-7 and the PC-9.
- NCPC-7:
- an upgraded version, developed for the Swiss air force and equipped with a glass cockpit and new avionics.
| Dimensions: | |||
| Length: | 9,78 m | Wingspan: | 10,4 m |
| Height: | 3,21 m | Wing area: | 16,3 m2 |
| Weights: | |||
| Empty weight: | 1670 kg | Max. start weight: | 2700 kg |
| Performances: | |||
| Max. speed: | 500 km/hr | Climbing speed: | - m/min |
| Cruising speed: | 412 km/hr | ||
| Range: | 1050 km | Service ceiling: | 10060 m |
| Miscellaneous: | |||
| Engine type: | One Pratt & Whitney PT-6A-25A rated 650 hp | ||
| Crew: | One instructor plus one pupil | ||
| Armament: | None | ||
Since 1989 the Royal Netherlands Air Force operates thirteen Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainers for the flying training at Woensdrecht at the EMVO (Elementary Military Flying School). At first ten aircraft were bought, since 1997 three additional aircraft were bought added.
Since 1995 a standard Pilatus PC-7 is used for display purposes at several events both in the Netherlands and abroad. The team uses two smoke pods under the wings.
It uses two aircraft, one operational demonstration aircraft plus one spare.
Pilatus L-02, photographed at de Open Day Dutch Air Force, July 1997 at airbase Gilze-Rijen.
Pilatus L-02, photographed at de Open Day Dutch Air Force, July 1997 at airbase Gilze-Rijen.
Pilatus L-10, photographed at de Open Day Dutch Air Force, July 1998 at airbase Leeuwarden.
In 2006 the aircraft had a new paint scheme overall gloss black with yellow markings applied. The black colour was because of an improved visibility in the air.
Pilatus L-01 in the new paint scheme, photographed at de Open Day Dutch Air Force, June 2006 at airbase Leeuwarden.
A walk-around of the PC-7; photographed at de Open Day Dutch Air Force, June 2009 at airbase Volkel.
| Serial
Serial
| Constr. nr.
Constr. nr.
| Date in service
Date in service
| Date out of service
Date out of service
| Notes
notes
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L-01 | 538 | 26-01-1989 | Was HB-HCM | |
| L-02 | 539 | 26-01-1989 | Was HB-HLV | |
| L-03 | 540 | 27-01-1989 | Was HB-HLW | |
| L-04 | 541 | 27-01-1989 | Was HB-HLX | |
| L-05 | 542 | 09-03-1989 | Was HB-HLY | |
| L-06 | 543 | 09-03-1989 | Was HB-HLZ | |
| L-07 | 544 | 22-05-1989 | Was HB-HAN | |
| L-08 | 545 | 18-06-1989 | Was HB-HAP | |
| L-09 | 546 | 10-08-1989 | Was HB-HAQ | |
| L-10 | 547 | 14-09-1989 | Was HB-HAR | |
| L-11 | 610 | 11-07-1997 | ||
| L-12 | 611 | 11-07-1997 | ||
| L-13 | 612 | 11-07-1997 |
1/72nd Scale
Kits
- Aeroclub
- Kit K022 / K026: Short run kit Pilatus PC7 (KLu, Mexican AF, Chilean Navy) / Pilatus PC7 (Swiss AF,Burma AF, Bolivia AF)
- Planet
- Kit 195: A resin kit for a Pilatus PC7 Turbo Trainer; Kit contains vacu canopy and decals for Dutch and Swiss aircraft The smoke pods of the Dutch Demoplanes are also included
- Scaleworx Resin models
- Kit 72-10: Pilatus PC7 Mk.II Astra (SAAF) [note: This model is NOT suited for a Dutch version of the PC-7!]
- Spinner Models
- Kit XX: Pilatus PC7 Mk.II Astra (SAAF) [note: This model is not suited for a Dutch version of the PC-7!]
Modelling add-on
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- Set -: -
Decals
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- Set -: --
1/48th Scale
Kits
- Anáhuac Models
- Kit 1: PC-7 Pilatus (resin)
Modelling add-on
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- Set -: -
Decals
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- Set -: --
Since about 2007 the PC-7 has an new overall black colour scheme. This scheme was first applied to Pilatus L-01 in 2004.
This colour scheme is chosen because of flight safety. Research has shown that a black silhouette shows a better visibility against the sky than the earlier colour scheme of yellow and red.
| Scheme | Colour name | FS-number | BS-number | RAL | Humbrol | XtraColor | Vallejo Model Color | Vallejo Model Air | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard #1: Delivery scheme | Overall | Yellow | 1023 | 69 | X108 | 71.002 | |||
| parts | Red | 3020 | 174 | X014 | 70.909 | ||||
| parts | White | 9010 | 130 | ||||||
| New scheme from about 2004 | |||||||||
| Standard #2 | Overall | Black | 9005 | 33 | 70.950 | ||||
| parts | Yellow | 1023 | 69 | X108 | 71.002 | ||||
Check www.paint4models.com for an extensive conversion table with lots of colour and paint systems.
Literature.
| Luchtvaartwereld; 5e jaargang nummer 9: De Pilatus PC-7 Turbotrainer. | Hans Heerkens | Pag. 112 - 115 | 1988 | Uitgeverij Ten Brink, Meppel |
| Luchtvaartwereld; 6e jaargang nummer 3: Pilatus PC-7 | Pag. 69 - | 1989 | Uitgeverij Ten Brink, Meppel | |
| Squadrons van de Koninklijke Luchtmacht (derde herzien druk) | Willem Helfferich | Pag. 55 - 56 | 1994 | Uitgevers Wyt, Rotterdam |
| Camouflage en Kentekens | J.Greuter e.a. | 1997 | Bonneville – Bergen (NH) |
Websites.
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