Pilatus Introduces New Smart Basic Trainer for Military

Pilatus has unveiled its new smart Basic Trainer, the PC-7 MKX, to take on a new generation of student pilots and turn them into first class military aviators. The trainer features a new glass cockpit, new avionics, and improvements in crew comfort and other technical innovations.

The PC-7 MKX’s smart avionics suite offers broad capability, allowing flexibility in a variety of training missions. This ensures that the student can easily transition to these platforms when embarking on 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.

The cockpit features a large primary flight display and multi-function displays to give students 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.

A set of training products are also available to cover all aspects of ground-based training. From the simplest type of training aid, virtual reality tools through to a full flight simulator, all training equipment is of high quality and designed to support integrated, progressive learning. This allows the air force to optimise training time and reduce training cost per pilot.

The design of the PC-7 MKX uses conventional semi-monocoque construction for the wing, fuselage and empennage. The primary structure is built of aluminium alloy sheet and extrusion. These features provide a high degree of interchangeability as well as easy replacement of parts.