Pilatus Aircraft Pc-9

Single Turboprop

The Pilatus PC-9 is a Swiss-designed single-engine turboprop trainer that became one of the most successful military basic and advanced training aircraft of the 1980s and 1990s. Developed as a turboprop successor to the piston-powered PC-7, the PC-9 first flew in 1984 and entered service with the Royal Saudi Air Force in 1985, eventually equipping more than 20 air forces worldwide including Australia, Croatia, Slovenia, and Myanmar. Its Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-62 engine delivers 1,150 shaft horsepower, giving the aircraft a maximum speed of 345 knots and a service ceiling of 25,000 feet—performance that allows student pilots to experience jet-like handling characteristics and energy management while retaining the economy and simplicity of turboprop operations. The tandem cockpit features Martin-Baker ejection seats and a stepped configuration that provides excellent visibility for both instructor and student. The PC-9's success led Pilatus and Beechcraft to collaborate on the T-6 Texan II, a heavily modified derivative that became the U.S. Air Force and Navy's primary trainer, replacing the T-37 and T-34. While most PC-9s serve military flight schools, a small number have entered civilian hands for warbird operations and advanced aerobatic training. The type remains in frontline training service with several nations decades after introduction, a testament to its rugged Swiss engineering and effective training mission design. SkyMeter has tracked 58 flights across 14 airframes and 6 operators, with BLUE AIR TRAINING CORP the largest observed operator.