IAF Pilatus PC-7 Mk II fleet clocks record performance

[Indo-guy]

Indian Air Force PC-7 MkII fleet clocks record performance | idrw.org


Indian Air Force Pilatus PC-7 MKII Fleet Clocks Record Performance - Press Releases

Indian Air Force Pilatus PC-7 MKII Fleet Clocks Record Performance
May 8, 2014
The Indian Air Force PC-7 MkII fleet has notched up commendable milestones even as training on the PC-7 MkII proceeds apace at the Indian Air Force training centre at Dundigal. The PC-7 MkII fleet has achieved more than 12,000 flying hours and accumulated well over 24,000 landings, since the first delivery of the new Basic Trainer Aircraft (BTA) to the Indian Air Force in February last year. This significant achievement demonstrates the outstanding performance of the new PC-7 MkII training platform and the excellent co-operation between the Indian Air Force and Pilatus Aircraft Ltd in maintaining and operating a highly reliable Basic Trainer Aircraft. As of April, less than two years after contract signature, the Indian Air Force has taken delivery of 35 PC-7 MkII aircraft and the remaining 40 aircraft are being flown-in on a monthly basis under the accelerated delivery schedule. Due to the excellent endurance, low maintenance and reliability of the PC-7 MkII aircraft, the Indian Air Force supported by Pilatus has been able to maintain a very high availability rate on the flight line since the introduction of the new platform. Thanks to this, the Indian Air Force is already planning to advance their plans to enhance the number of student pilots by 150% from the next course as they are confident that the PC-7 MkII will continue to measure up to their requirements and expectations. Furthermore, the PC-7 MkII has enabled the Indian Air Force to increase the basic training syllabus in terms of flight hours by 220% compared to the old syllabus and increase the solo content from only 1 to 14 sorties. In March this year another significant project milestone took place. The first PC-7 MkII Fixed Base Full Mission Simulator became operational at Dundigal with a second simulator and additional Ground-Based Training Systems due to be installed by the end of this year. Pilatus remains firmly committed to serving the Indian Air Force with its renowned dedication to Swiss precision and quality, through delivering and supporting the most advanced Basic Flight Training turboprop trainer in the world - the Pilatus PC-7 MkII.

 

[imiakhtar]

Probably one of the smarter buys from the Indians over the years.

Now if only Pilatus put the same amount of money and effort into improving the heavy flight controls of the PC-12. I would be a happy man

 

[Indo-guy]

Tarmak007 -- A bold blog on Indian defence: Pilatus seeks more time to respond to RFI; BTA clocks over 12,000 flying hours with IAF


Bangalore: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has accelerated the training schedules being provided to its rookie pilots at the Air Force Academy (AFA) in Dundigal (near Hyderabad) since the induction of the Swiss Basic Trainer Aircraft (BTA) Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II. In addition to the increased flying sorties being given to the trainees, the IAF is also satisfied with the maintainability of the aircraft, which has been a concern in the past.
The PC-7 Mk-II was inducted last year and so far the IAF has taken delivery of 35 BTAs, less than two years after the contract was inked with Pilatus Aircraft for a total delivery of 75 aircraft. Sources say that the remaining 40 aircraft are being flown-in on a monthly basis (at an average of two) as per the accelerated delivery schedule. The BTA fleet has clocked over 12,000 flying hours with over 24,000 landings, since February last year.
Satisfied with the BTAs performance, the IAF had issued an Request for Information (RFI) for additional 106 aircraft in March. Jim Roche, Deputy CEO, Pilatus Aircraft tells Express that Pilatus is currently responding to RFI. "Due to the complexity of the requests, an application to extend the deadline has to the best of our knowledge been made to the IAF for an extension of the original deadline," Jim said in an email interaction.
When asked whether the aircraft would undergo any upgradation in the wake of firm additional orders, Jim said in the negative. "The question assumes an order will be placed, this is not within our control. However, we do not foresee any changes to the specification at this time, provided there is a commitment within the timeframe of the option clause within the existing contract," he said.
Apart from the 75 aircraft contracted to the IAF, there are close to a 100 PC-7 Mk-IIs in operation world over. "However, the total number of Pilatus trainer aircraft delivered and currently on order exceeds 1000 aircraft," says Jim.
Commanders' meet today: The IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha will address the Air Force station commanders at the Training Command in Bangalore on Thursday. This is Raha's maiden visit to Bangalore, after taking over as the IAF chief. All commanders of flying, technical and non-technical training establishments of Training Command will be attending the two-day commander's conference.