IAF augments pilot training facility with Pilatus PC-7 MK-II aircraft

The Indian Air Force (IAF) today formally inducted the Pilatus PC-7 MK-II aircraft into service to facilitate seamless transition from basic through intermediate and advanced stages into full-fledged operational flying for all streams of fighter pilots.

The basic trainer aircraft from Switzerland was formally inducted into service with three of the aircraft getting airborne in a brief display at the IAF's premier academy located at Dundigal in Hyderabad.

''The induction of PC-7 MK-II as basic trainer aircraft in Indian Air Force is a very important landmark in our nation's quest to modernise its armed forces, defence minister A K Antony said after unveiling the new basic trainer aircraft.

He said the induction of sophisticated training and simulation equipment is part of the ongoing transformation of IAF, which is being equipped with cutting edge technology and state-of-the-art aircraft and systems.

''PC-7 MK-II and its associated training infrastructure comprising simulators and training modules promises higher safety standards while developing the critical skills in military aviation. The aircraft, with its excellent handling characteristics, user friendly onboard instrumentation and modern navigation systems, is ideally suited for IAF's training requirements,'' the minister stated.

He said the government would spare no effort to equip IAF with the latest training aids and infrastructure. ''Funds will never be an impediment and today's induction is one such instance to prove this''.
 
''This event is a significant milestone in IAF's transformation into a modern multi-spectrum strategic force. It is my responsibility to ensure that our pilots and technicians operate the best trainer in the world the nation can afford. Pilatus will prove to be the ideal platform that will train the ab-initio trainees about the nuances of basic flying and expose them to modern avionics and nav aids. This trainer will provide a solid foundation and facilitate a seamless transition from ab-initio stage through intermediate and advanced stages into full-fledged operational flying for all streams,'' Air Chief Marshall N A K Brownie said.

The PC-7 MK-II aircraft would be used for basic training of all pilots of the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and the Coast Guard. Till now this role was performed by the reliable but ageing workhorse, the HJT-16 Kiran aircraft.

As part of the much-awaited augmentation of IAF's training capacity, a comprehensive infrastructure upgrade is already underway at the Air Force Academy.

A total of 75 aircraft have been contracted from Pilatus, Switzerland. The procurement of PC-7 MK-II was approved by the government in May 2012 and the first batch of PC-7 MK-II trainers arrived at the academy in February this year as a part of accelerated induction plan. The first batch of flight cadets would start their training on PC-7 MK-II from July onwards.

Pilatus, meanwhile, is planning to set up a facility that will initially manufacture airframes for its single-engine turboprop PC-12 aircraft.

''This will be our third support facility for PC-12 aircraft, the other two being in Portugal and Poland. It will be part of our offset commitment in India,'' Jim Roche, vice-president, said on the sidelines of a function to mark the induction of the first set of PC-7 aircraft into the Indian Air Force.

Roche said the airframes that would be manufactured in India would be shipped to Switzerland for final assembly. He, however, did not give a time frame or possible location for the proposed Indian facility.

Pilatus has so far sold 1200 PC-12 aircrafts worldwide. It is a nine-seater aircraft that is effective for surveillance, evacuation and disaster management operations.