Pilatus PC-21 Pilot Training Aircraft displayed at Avalon

The Pilatus PC-21 is the world's most advanced pilot training aircraft.

As part of the AIR 5428 Pilot Training System project, the PC-21 replaced Air Force's PC-9/A. It is based at RAAF Base East Sale in Victoria and RAAF Base Pearce in Western Australia.

Although the PC-21 is a key element of the AIR 5428 project, it is only one part of the story. The new Pilot Training System is able to train more people faster and to a higher standard, with an:

• advanced aircraft
• state of the art simulation, and
• an electronic learning environment.

The system ensures undergraduate pilots develop the necessary knowledge and skills prior to progressing onto advanced military aircraft such as the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter, Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter, and MRH-90 helicopter.

It is capable of sustained low-level speeds over 320 knots, and hydraulically assisted ailerons and roll spoilers can produce fighter-like rates of roll in excess of 200 degrees per second.

The capabilities of the PC-21 make it ideally suited to a very wide training scope. It can be used from day one in the training system, eliminating the need for an elementary flying training fleet, but also bridges the performance gap between traditional turboprop trainers and lead-in fighters.