India's Follow-On Pilatus Trainer Order In Jeopardy

[SpArK]

India's Follow-On Pilatus Trainer Order In Jeopardy


Wednesday, March 18, 2015

A follow-on order of 38 Pilatus PC 7 Mk II aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF) is increasingly getting mired i
n controversy as veteran air force officers say that it has features, for example, an ejection seat which is not necessary in a basic trainer.

The order has already been put on hold by the finance minister as it has found the Life Cycle Cost (LCC) of the aircraft is higher than the unit price that was quoted earlier.

Former senior officers of the air force say that basic trainers are of such type that can glide and land even on a grass field in case of an emergency, including an engine failure.

The Pilatus PC 7, a Swiss manufacture, was chosen by the air force because the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) failed to develop their own proposed basic trainer.

IAF wanted to buy 181 aircrafts to meet its requirements. But the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) of the ministry headed by the Defence Minister, Manohar Parrikar had allowed the purchase of 75 with 38 to be bought later.

Pilatus PC 7 is with a Pratt & Whitney engines and has top speed of 270 knots. It’s a two seater aircraft for the trainee and the trainer.


India's Follow-On Pilatus Trainer Order In Jeopardy

 

[GORKHALI]

@sancho @Abingdonboy This what am talking about ,someone somewhere compromised the deal for his own benefit.

PC-7B Shortcomings.
1>Unable to glide in case of engine failures.
2>No ejection seat
3>Can't put light armaments
4>Now this It has found the Life Cycle Cost (LCC) of the aircraft is higher than the unit price that was quoted

 

[janon]

@sancho @Abingdonboy This what am talking about ,someone somewhere compromised the deal for his own benefit.

PC-7B Shortcomings.
1>Unable to glide in case of engine failures.
2>No ejection seat
3>Can't put light armaments
4>Now this It has found the Life Cycle Cost (LCC) of the aircraft is higher than the unit price that was quoted

1 and 2 are wrong.

All basic trainers, including the Pilatus PC-7Mk2 can glide to safety in case of engine failure, which is why they don't need ejection seats. But the PC-7Mk2 has an ejection seat anyway, adding unnecessary cost.

 

[Echo_419]

@sancho @Abingdonboy This what am talking about ,someone somewhere compromised the deal for his own benefit.

PC-7B Shortcomings.
1>Unable to glide in case of engine failures.
2>No ejection seat
3>Can't put light armaments
4>Now this It has found the Life Cycle Cost (LCC) of the aircraft is higher than the unit price that was quoted

That's strange

 

[GORKHALI]

1 and 2 are wrong.

All basic trainers, including the Pilatus PC-7Mk2 can glide to safety in case of engine failure, which is why they don't need ejection seats. But the PC-7Mk2 has an ejection seat anyway, adding unnecessary cost.

wrong bro..Anything can glide but there are some norms for it in this case Basic trainer need to glide 15km which it couldn't full fill.And Ejection seat is must take Super Tucano.

 

[Abingdonboy]

@sancho @Abingdonboy This what am talking about ,someone somewhere compromised the deal for his own benefit.

PC-7B Shortcomings.
1>Unable to glide in case of engine failures.
2>No ejection seat
3>Can't put light armaments
4>Now this It has found the Life Cycle Cost (LCC) of the aircraft is higher than the unit price that was quoted

The article clearly states the PC-7 Mk.IIs have ejection seats and I've not heard anything about the gliding issues whatsoever.

wrong bro..Anything can glide but there are some norms for it in this case Basic trainer need to glide 15km which it couldn't full fill.And Ejection seat is must take Super Tucano.

Well ejection seats add to the LCCs and they aren't the norm for BTTs as stated.