The Indian Air Force (IAF) PC-7 MkII fleet has notched up commendable milestones even as training on the PC-7 MkII proceeds apace at the IAF 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 IAF in February 2013.

This significant achievement demonstrates the outstanding performance of the new PC-7 MkII training platform and the excellent cooperation between the IAF and Pilatus Aircraft Ltd in maintaining and operating a highly reliable BTA. As of April, less than two years after contract signature, the IAF 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 IAF 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 IAF is already planning to advance their plans to enhance the number of student pilots by 150 per cent 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 IAF to increase the basic training syllabus in terms of flight hours by 220 per cent compared to the old syllabus and increase the solo content from only one 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 2014. Pilatus remains firmly committed to serving the IAF 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.