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.