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Aviation History
1984
1984 - 0865.PDF
DEFENCE respective products, particu larly the PC-9/Hawk basic/ advanced trainer combina tion. Will the collaboration continue should the PC-9 not be selected for the RAF? "We would have to discuss that," says Pilatus vice-president of programmes Dietrich Kloeckner. Any modifications to the PC-9 required to meet ASR 412 will probably be carried out by BAe. These could include strengthened wing leading edges and a separate windscreen to meet birdstrike requirements. Pilatus main tains that the present one- piece canopy should with stand a strike after the bird had been shredded by the propeller. PC-9 performance appears to meet AST.412 in all crite ria except stalling speed, the target specifying a maximum of 63kt against the PC-9's 69kt stall. This figure could change with the issue of the ASR, however. In return for its slightly high stalling speed, the PC-9 can cruise at 250kt at low level and 280kt at alti tude. Time to 15,000ft is 4.3min, faster than the Jet Provost. Initial rate of climb is 4,000ft/min at sea level, falling off to 3,000ft/min above 9,000ft. Service ceiling is 40,000ft. According to Pilatus, the RAF was only one of many customers included in the 1982 market survey leading to the launch of the PC-9 programme. With a flyaway cost of $1-35 million at 1984 exchange rates, the company anticipates no difficulties in- reaching the 120-aircraft break-even point. The PC-7, of which more than 360 have been sold, will continue in production alongside the PC-9. Pilatus PC-9 weights and measures Span Length Height Wing area Empty weight Max take-off weight. aerobatic utility Load factors 33 2ft 33ft 10 66ft 175 3ft2 3.5491b 4.8501b 7.0551b + 7/-3-5g Performance at 4,8501b AUW Max operating speed/Mach Manoeuvring speed Cruise at 15.000 ft Stalling speed Take-off to 50ft Landing from 50ft Range at 10,000ft. no reserves 320kt/0-68 210kt 282kt 69kt 410ft 475ft 660 n.m. Endurance—two 1 hr sorties plus 20min reserves Although the PC-9 is of similar appearance to the PC-7, a look at the figures will indicate that the PC-9 is more than a revamped PC-7. "The fins are of similar external appearance, but that is all, and that is the Pilatus trademark", says Kloeckner. The PC-7 does not have an airbrake, undercarriage doors, stepped ejection seats, a modern panel, or the extra 300 s.h.p. of the PC-9. The PC-9 is faster in the climb, faster in straight and level flight, and stalls some 5kt slower than the PC-7 at comparable weights. The PC-9 is more agile and has an enhanced aerobatic performance with twice the inverted flight capability of the PC-7. Pilatus PC-7 weights and measures Span Length Height Wing area Empty weight 341ft 3207ft 10-53ft 178 6ft2 2,9321b Max take-off weight, aerobatic 4,1881b with stores 5,9521 Load factors +6/-3g Performance at 4,188lb AUW Max operating speed/Mach 270kt/0-55 Manoeuvring speed 175kt Cruise at 20,000ft 222kt Stalling speed (gear up/down) 71kt/64kt Take-off to 50ft 787ft Landing from 50ft 967ft Range at 20,000ft with reserves 730 n.m. Endurance—with reserves at 20,000ft respectively, power seat for max range 4hr 22min The PC-9's first flight was made with a three-blade Hartzell propeller, the second flight with the four-blade Hartzell shown here, and later flights will check the Dowty four-blade unit. The final choice is yet to be made, but will be a four-blader FLIGHT International, 19 May 1984 1313
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