Pilatus PC-21
The Pilatus PC-21 aircraft is build by Pilatus.
The Pilatus PC-21 is a single-turboprop engine, high speed profile swept wing advanced trainer with a stepped tandem cockpit. The PC-21 have a glass cockit, HOTAS (Hands on Throttle and Stick) controls and Zero-zero ejection seats for both student and instructor.
At the heart of the PC21’s performance is the Pratt & Whitney PT6A-68B which is used to drive a five-bladed, graphite, non-reversible, Hartzell propeller. This massive power is delivered through a power management control (PMC) system that is airspeed dependent. From 0-80kt (0-150km/h), the engine delivers 1,080shp and the power then rises linearly during acceleration to give the full 1,600shp by 200kt. The PMC (power management control) provides an automatic yaw trim control that maps power, speed and altitude so that the aircraft is yaw free (to the pilot) throughout its envelope and it can be flown like a jet. The short-span wing features a swept leading edge and a high-speed profile allowing for a VMO (V-Speed, Maximum Operating Speed) of 370kt and a sustained low-level cruise of just over 320kt. Controls are manual with servo tabs, but the ailerons are hydraulically boosted with interconnected spoilers to give a good roll rate. Airframe limits are +8g/-4g and it has a pressurised cabin up to the service ceiling of 25,000ft (7,620m). Initial sustained rate of climb at sea level is 4,000ft/min (20.3m/s). The aircraft features the latest Martin-Baker MkCH16C zero-zero ejection seats with command ejection, an anti-g system and an on-board oxygen generating system for the crew. The single-piece, side-hinged canopy has no forward arch and is fully bird-strike protected.
A head-up display (HUD) in front and a repeater in the rear. The throttle is a jet-type single lever and the hands-on throttle and stick (HOTAS) controls, plus head-up and head-down symbology, are customised to replicate the designated frontline fighter almost exactly. The mission computer holds the navigation route, target plan, simulated (seven pylons) weapons fit and all the embedded training and simulated threats for the sortie. The mission computer is loaded via a pilot-carried "data brick" inserted into a slot on the left-hand front cockpit console. The Pilatus-designed digital avionics architecture ensures that all mission-dependent software is kept separate from the flight-critical pilot flying display (PFD) and engine and alerting displays software. Due to its civil certification, each cockpit also features a civil flight management system and a full autopilot - a practical enhancement.
Full Training System: Basic & Intermediate Flying Training; Full Mission Management Training; Embedded Simulation and Emulation.
The PC 21 is classified as a Flight, Attack and Systems Trainer (FAST) aircraft. If the FAST is allied to a Lead-In Fighter Trainer (LIFT), which has similar systems to the FAST and comparable performance to the designated air force frontline fighter, it can be argued that expensive, single-type, operational conversion units (OCU) could be disbanded and the final, front-line "type conversion" training given within the full-strength combat wing of the type itself. Pilatus has recognised this training need and its all-new PC-21 is the FAST aircraft/training package it is now producing to fulfill modern air force training needs through the first half of the 21st century. According to Pilatus, the direct operating cost of the PC-21 is less than half of its nearest competing jet FAST type.
Pilatus PC-21 made its maiden flight in 2002. Pilatus PC-21 was introduced into active service in 2008. Pilatus PC-21 has a seating capacity of 2, tandem-seating arrangement (student in-front/instructor behind) which provides all round vision glass cockpit.
Pilatus PC-21 has an overall length of 11.2 meters (36.6_ft). It has a wing span of 9.1 meters (29.8_ft). The overall height of 3.8 meters (12.4_ft). The wing area of Pilatus PC-21 is of about 15.221 sq.meters (163.8_sq.ft.). The overall weight of an empty aircraft is about 2300 kilograms (5,060.0_lbs). And it has a maximum take-off weight of about 4300 kilograms (9,460.0_lbs). Pilatus PC-21 can reach a maximum speed of about 685 km/hr (369.9_knots, 425.7_mph). And the Pilatus PC-21 has a maximum crusing range of about 1333 kilometers (828.3_miles, 719.8_nautical miles). Aircraft can reach a service height of about 11580 meters (37,866.6_ft). Stall speed of Pilatus PC-21: 170 km/hr (91.8_knots, 105.7_mph). The aircraft has a stall speed with gears & flaps down: 150 km/hr (81.0_knots, 93.2_mph).
The turboprop engine powered Pilatus PC-21 uses 1, Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68B Turboprop engine. It can deliver a total power of approximately 1200 kilowatts (1,609.2_shaft horsepower).
Hardpoints on Pilatus PC-21 Aircraft: 5, Provisions provided for 4 x under-wing and 1 x centerline external store stations, capable of mounting up to 1,150 kg (2,500 lb) of payload of air-to-ground weapons to operate in the Counter-insurgency role (COIN).
Pilatus PC-21 Flyway Cost of about US$ 8, Million with full avionics.
Updated On: 18.10.15