The Smart Basic Trainer

The PC-7 MKX is based on a proven and easy to fly platform to teach ab initio students. It comes with an exceptional, state-of-the-art standard of equipment in this class of training aircraft.

Offering a reliable and economic training platform, the docile behaviour of the PC-7 MKX in the hands of a beginner provides a confidence-building environment for inexperienced students. With its highly cost-efficient PT6A-25C engine with 700 shaft horsepower, it provides sufficient power even for advanced training.

Pilatus is the world’s only aircraft manufacturer to offer a seamless Training System for all phases of military instruction. A unique 2-platform approach facilitates transition of a student pilot straight into a fifth generation front line asset, or streaming rotary and transport pilots after phase two or three.

The PC-7 MKX is designed to teach basic, yet essential skills that must become second nature for every military pilot. The handling qualities of the PC-7 MKX allow unrestricted use by even the novice student with ample margin for error. After training on the PC-7 MKX, students are capable of safe and professional aircraft operation in military and civil environments – the first step in becoming a successful military aviator and the basis for the following phases of training.

The PC-7 MKX’s smart avionics suite offers a broad capability, allowing maximum flexibility for use in a wide variety of training missions.

The cockpit layout is similar to advanced training and fighter platforms. This ensures that the student can easily transition to these platforms when entering the next phase of training. The PC-7 MKX avionics capability is designed as a comprehensive baseline configuration with various add-on options such as synthetic vision system, traffic advisory system, autopilot, cockpit camera and mission debriefing system to meet specific training needs. All these systems prepare student pilots for a new generation of avionics, exposing them to the type of information and workload they are likely to encounter in future aircraft.

Only with the PC-7 MKX, you get an ultra-modern, smart Basic Trainer cockpit with a highly professional software exclusively developed by and for military pilots.

The cockpit features a large primary flight display and multi functional displays to give students the earliest possible exposure to the technology found in today’s front line assets. The primary flight display allows selection of various flight modes, whilst the left and right displays features a moving map for navigation, a Flight Management System and an Engine Indicating and Crew Alerting System. Systems can be operated using the bezel keys, or the left multi functional display with help of a touch-screen capability. The up-front-control-panel also features displays to allow selection of frequencies, transponder codes and other flight relevant data.

One key objective of a modern Training System is to produce a highly trained pilot capable of meeting the demands of flying today's sophisticated aircraft. With increasing cost of equipment, resources and time, this goal has to be achieved in the most economical way. Preparation on the ground saves perspiration and failure in the air. By the time students commence flying, they should be fully conversant with systems and avionics functionality. The PC-7 MKX Ground-Based Training System translates student learning into an airborne environment. A comprehensive set of training products is available to cover all aspects of groundbased training. From the simplest type of training aid, virtual reality tools through to a full flight simulator, all training equipment is of the highest quality and is designed to support integrated, progressive learning.

Long-term support is a critical element to be considered during the aircraft selection process. Pilatus has built its reputation and much of its success on the customer support and services provided to a large fleet of military trainer aircraft around the world. Pilatus has established solid solutions by supporting a very large number of basic trainer aircraft around the world. While some of those are managed through ad hoc support on demand, most customers opt for a full performance based service where Pilatus guarantees availability of aircraft or flight hours. The air force’s responsibilities are reduced to provision of pilots and facilities. Other customers have a hybrid of these two arrangements with a partial performance service like spares availability, with other elements such as maintenance or manpower provided on demand.