Pilatus has secured a major contract with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) to deliver 19 PC-21 Next Generation Trainers as part of its collaboration with SkyAlyne for the FAcT program. The contract involves the delivery of state-of-the-art aircraft, which will be stationed at Moose Jaw air base in Saskatchewan starting from 2026.
The global fleet of just under 250 PC-21 training aircraft recently set a historic milestone with over 500,000 successful hours in the air. Breaking Defense reports that experience with current customers shows a 50% reduction in training costs.
Astronaut Claude Nicollier flew the Pilatus Next Generation Trainer, praising its handling qualities and aerobatic capabilities. Nicollier, who has logged over 1,000 hours in space, shared his thoughts on the PC-21 during a test flight at Pilatus.
The Spanish Air Force has decided to buy another 16 PC-21s from Pilatus, following an initial order in early 2020. The contract makes Spain the largest operator of the PC-21 in Europe.
Reto Amstutz, former Patrouille Suisse team member, shares his insights on flying and piloting. Breaking Defense reports that he now leads Pilatus' Flight Operations department, where he conducts flight tests, ferry flights, and customer demos for various aircraft types.
Pilatus has shared an experience report of its technician Roland Steiger and his colleague Reto Strauss, who have been supporting Babcock International's maintenance team at the base aérienne 709 Cognac-Châteaubernard since 2018. The base was originally built for the French Air Force in 1940 but was occupied by the German air force during WWII.
The Spanish Air Force has received its first PC-21, courtesy of Pilatus. The aircraft will be integrated into the 792 Squadron at the Spanish Air Force Academy, where it will provide advanced training for future pilots.
The French Air Force has selected Pilatus to supply nine additional PC-21s as part of its training programme. Breaking Defense reports that the Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace will deploy the aircraft at Cognac-Châteaubernard air base, where they will join a fleet of 26 PC-21s.
The Spanish Air Force has selected the Pilatus PC-21 as its new training system, worth over 200 million euros. The order includes 24 aircraft, simulators, spare parts, and logistics support.
The Empire Test Pilots' School is a leading training centre for test pilots, operated by QinetiQ in Boscombe Down. The PC-21 is an integral part of the training provided to students from all over the world.
The Swiss Air Force celebrated the tenth anniversary of the Pilatus PC-21 Jet Pilot Training System, marking a decade of successful pilot training. Pilatus has provided support for the system from day one and is responsible for aircraft maintenance and servicing.
Pilatus reported a successful business year in 2016, with sales revenue reaching 821 million Swiss francs and operating earnings at 89 million Swiss francs. The company created 56 additional jobs across its Group and delivered 117 aircraft to customers.
Daniel Stämpfli is a seasoned pilot with extensive experience in training future air force pilots for the PC-21. He has been leading the PC-7 TEAM since April 2024 and serves as Senior Pilot on the PC-21 programme, which trains up to eight student pilots annually.