Pilatus PC-7
Maiden Flight: Tuesday, April 12, 1966
IOC: 1978
Pilatus PC-7 Mk II
Maiden Flight: Monday, September 28, 1992
IOC: 1994
Unitary Cost: CHF7.0 million
Also Known As
Astra (South African Air Force designation)
Turbo-Trainer
Origin
Switzerland
Contractor/s
Pilatus Aircraft
Family Members
Pilatus PC-7 Turbo-Trainer
Power plant:
PT6A-25C
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Description:
The Pilatus PC-7 Turbo-Trainer is a single-engine, tandem two-seat turboprop aircraft designed to perform basic training missions for military customers. It was developed by Pilatus Aircraft based upon the Pilatus PC-3 training aircraft which was introduced in the 1950s. The first PC-7 prototype performed its maiden flight on April 12, 1966, and the first production aircraft first flew in August 1978. The first production aircraft was delivered to the Air Force of Burma/Myanmar in December 1978. The Pilatus PC-7 trainer received a large number of orders in the 1980s entering into service with over 20 air forces providing basic training becoming thus the most successful military aircraft program for Pilatus Aircraft.
The Pilatus Mk II trainer was developed by Pilatus Aircraft to meet the requirements of the South African Air Force (SAAF). Known in South Africa as the Astra, first flew in 1992 with the first delivery to SAAF in early 1994. The Mk II features a more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-25C turboprop rated at 700-shp (886-shp thermodynamic), a four-blade Hartzell prop and airframe enhancements taken form the Pilatus PC-9 trainer. The PC-7 Mk II covers basic training as its predecessor , PC-7, and some limited number of advanced flying training tasks.
The PC-7 Mk II also encompasses ground-based training and simulation systems. Its standard equipment includes: On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS), six underwing stores, anti-g system, ejection seats, full dual glass cockpit with GPS, and stepped tandem two-seat cockpit. Thanks to modular and scalable design, the avionics and cockpit of the Mk II can be upgraded with those systems available on the more capable Pilatus PC-9 M. So far, the PC-7 Mk II has been ordered by South Africa, Brunei and Malaysia.
Specifications
Accommodation: Crew 2
Dimensions: Height 3.3 m, Length 10.1 m, Wingspan 10.2 m
Weights: Max Takeoff Weight 2,250 kg (4,960 lb), Min Weight 1,670 kg (3,682 lb), Payload 1,040 kg (2,293 lb)
Performance: Climb Rate 2,840 fpm (), Cruise Speed 242 kt (448 kph), Landing Run Distance 335 m (1,099 ft), Max Range 810 nautical mile (), Stall Speed 67 kt (124 kph), Take Off Run Distance 259 m (850 ft), Top Speed 300 kt (555 kph)
Power: Power 700 shp
G Loads: Max Maneuvering Load Factor 7 g, Min Maneuvering Load Factor -4 g, Sustained Load Factor 3 g
Other: External Stations 6, Number of Engines 1, Propeller Blades 4
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Brunei Darussalam / 4 
Malaysia / 19 
South Africa / 60