The Indian Air Force is all set to induct new trainer aircrafts for basic flight training. A deal of $523 Million (Rs. 2800 crore) has been signed on 24 May 2012 with the Swiss Company Pilatus aircraft for a fleet of 75 PC-7 MkII turboprops with an integrated ground based training system and a comprehensive logistics support package.
The aircraft will help the IAF to replace its fleet of HPT-32 basic trainer aircraft which have been grounded for over two years now after a fatal air crash in 2009.
Included in the contract is the establishment of in-country depot-level maintenance capabilities, including the transfer of technology to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited(HAL), enabling in-country maintenance of the platform throughout its service life of over 30 years.
Delivery of the aircraft and the complete training system is scheduled to commence in the fourth Quarter of 2012. The decision to select the PC-7 MkII training system was made after a thorough evaluation by the Indian Air Force, which looked at all available options.
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Crew: Two, student and instructor
- Length: 9.78 m (32 ft 1 in)
- Wingspan: 10.40 m (34 ft 1 in)
- Height: 3.21 m (10 ft 6 in)
- Max. takeoff weight: 2,700 kg (5,952 lb)
- Maximum speed: 412 km/h (222 knots, 256 mph) (max cruise at 6,100 m (20,000 ft))
- Stall speed: 119 km/h (64 knots, 74 mph) flaps and gear down, power off
- Range: 2,630 km (cruise power, at 5,000 m (16,400 ft) – 20 min reserves)
- Rate of climb: 10.9 m/s (2,150 ft/min)
- Wing loading: 114.5 kg/m² (23.44 lb/ft²)
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