Pilatus PC-9M Specs, Price, Pictures, & Details. The Pilatus PC-9M is a singular turboprop engine advanced trainer aircraft manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland. This aircraft was produced primarily to meet the requirements of the Swiss Air Force (SAF), Australian Air Force (RAAF), Saudi Royal Air Force (RSAF) and Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF).
Development of PC-9 began in 1982 to replace the aging PC-7 fleet. The first flight PC-9 was completed on May 7, 1984. The aircraft was first certified in September 1985 and began operating in 2004. The most current variant being developed from the PC-9M is Pilatus PC-9Mk2.
Pilatus PC-9M Engine and Performance
The Pilatus PC-9M is powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-62 singular turboprop engine. The engine produces an output power of 857 kW to drive a four-bladed Hartzell aluminum propeller made of at a constant speed of 2,000 rpm. The engine has an epicyclic speed reduction gearbox to reduce propeller noise by optimizing output speed. This engine is also equipped with a one-stage axial and centrifugal multi-stage compressor, backflow burner and one-stage compressor turbine. The length and diameter of the engine are 1.79 m and 0.48 m, respectively.
Pilatus PC-9M aircraft can fly with a maximum speed of 593 km/ h and a cruising speed of 552 km/ h. The kiosk speed is 143 km/ h and can go up to 19.7 m/ s. The aircraft has a range of 1,593 km and a service ceiling of 11,580 m. The maximum endurance of the aircraft is 4 hours 30 minutes.
Pilatus PC-9M Specs
Pilatus PC-9M is an enhanced version of PC-9. This aircraft has a wide dorsal fin to improve longitudinal stability, stall strips, new engines, and propeller control. At the bottom of the wing the aircraft is equipped with six hard points (three on each wing). These hard points can be mounted with two Rocket Podets, FN LAU 7 folding air fin rockets and two FN heavy machine guns (HMG). Each weapon can fire 250 rounds of ammunition.
Dimensions of Pilatus PC-9M include length 10.14 m, height 3.26 m, and wingspan 10.125 m. The aircraft’s empty weight is around 1,781 kg and the maximum take-off weight (MTOW) is 3,200 kg. The aircraft is equipped with a retractable tricycle type landing gear.
Pilatus PC-9M Cockpit and Avionics
Pilatus PC-9M features a double glass cockpit with tandem seating configurations for pilots and co-pilots. The cockpit is equipped with a glass canopy to increase visibility. The Pilatus PC-9M cockpit is boosted by the main flight display (PFD) and multi-function display (MFD), both of which provide clear visibility and display flight information. Engine monitoring, aircraft configuration, air pressure, and ecological control are available in the cockpit.
The Pilatus PC-9M avionics suite includes Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) for navigation, communication and identification. Avionics suites installed in the cockpit include an electronic flight instrumentation system (EFIS), Head Up Display (HUD), On-board Oxygen Manufacturing System (OBOGS) and anti-G systems.
Pilatus PC-9M Price and Orders
The price of the most up-to-date Pilatus PC-9M advanced trainer aircraft is around US $ 7 million. In 1997, Croatia signed a contract with RAAF to supply three used Pilatus PC-9M aircraft. Slovenia ordered nine planes in December 1997. Oman bought 12 planes in January 1999. Ireland ordered eight planes in January 2003. Bulgaria bought 12 planes in 2004. Mexico was the last customer to receive two planes in September 2006.
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