Aircraft of the ADF — A23 Pilatus PC-9/A

The first PC-9 had been officially rolled out at Stans, Switzerland, on May 9, 1984, having flown two days earlier, and was registered HB-HPA (constructor’s number 001). It was followed by a second pre-production PC-9, HB-HPB (c/n 002), which flew on July 20. The RAAF was to become the first customer to specify the advanced Electronic Flight Information System (EFIS) ‘glass’ cockpit. The first RAAF aircraft, A23-001 (c/n 501), flew on May 19, 1987, followed in June by A23-002 (c/n 502). A23-001 was displayed at the 1987 Paris Air Show in June.

To enable civilian pilots to ferry these aircraft to Australia, they were marked with Swiss civilian registrations as HB-HQA and HB-HQB. The two PC-9s departed Stans for the 20,000-kilometre ferry flight and arrived at Bankstown on October 16, 1987. The aircraft were then accepted by the RAAF in November. They were to have been delivered in July but had been delayed by four months with an electronic fault. Radio transmissions had been affecting the fuel flow sensors, shutting down the engine; however, the problem was overcome by further shielding of the sensors.

The remaining 65 aircraft, A23-003 to A23-067 (c/n 503 to 567), were then licence-built by Hawker de Havilland and designated PC-9/A. Pilatus supplied kits for the first six and major components for the following eleven, but from aircraft A23-020 onwards most major components were Australian-built. Aerospace Technologies of Australia (ASTA, renamed from GAF in 1987) produced the fuselage and the tailplane, and HdH of Victoria (which was previously CAC) built the wings. The Dunlop Aerospace Company was subcontracted to make the undercarriage, and final assembly and flight testing was done by HdH at Bankstown. Only the engine, aircraft system components, and several sets of wings were then imported.

The first Australian-assembled PC-9/A, A23-003, flew on November 14, 1987, was accepted by the RAAF on December 9, and officially handed over to the Minister for Defence on December 14. Initial deliveries were the two Swiss-built aircraft to the Central Flying School (CFS) at RAAF East Sale on November 24, 1987, to enable instructor training and flying syllabus development. The RAAF training programme had been reassessed to retain the CT-4 in the ab initio role and replace the Macchi with the PC-9. Macchi training would then only continue for those students streamed to fighter/strike flying. The RAAF’s Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU), at Edinburgh, also operated two of the early aircraft to certify the type’s entry into RAAF service.

When A23-006 was rolled out of the HdH factory on May 21, 1988, it was finished in the personal blue colour scheme of the Chief of Air Staff. This aircraft was accepted by the RAAF on June 27 and participated in the 1988 around-Australia air race in September, as part of the Richmond Bicentennial Airshow.

Deliveries began in 1989 to No 2 Flying Training School (2FTS) at RAAF Pearce, and late that year the first student pilots commenced PC-9 flying. This enabled the withdrawal of the Macchi from 2FTS in 1991, but the jet trainer remained in service at Pearce with No 25 Squadron for lead-in fighter instruction. During 1990, the Roulettes at CFS converted to the PC-9. Their distinctive all-red aircraft soon became a common sight at Australian airshows, and they were introduced internationally at the Singapore Airshow in February 1992.

The final RAAF PC-9/A, A23-067, was accepted by the RAAF in May 1992. Two PC-9s were delivered to No 76 Squadron at Williamtown during 1994 to replace the Winjeel in the forward air controller (FAC) training role. The FAC aircraft have been fitted with the additional radios needed for this task, and trials are underway to determine the best way to mark targets by smoke. These aircraft are yet to be camouflaged, and eventually, up to five aircraft may be operated from Williamtown.

The PC-9 now serves in the air forces of Saudi Arabia and Burma, and a German company uses the PC-9B for target towing under contract to the Luftwaffe. In addition, the type is under consideration in the United States for the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS) competition, which will select a new basic trainer for both the USAF and the US Navy. The Beech-Pilatus PC-9 Mk II, missionized for the US, made its maiden flight in the US in December 1992.