The Pilatus PC-21 training aircraft for Canada has completed factory testing in Switzerland.

A landmark event for the Royal Canadian Air Force took place in Stans, Switzerland. The first Pilatus PC-21, designated CT-157 Siskin II (which translates as "Goldfinch"), passed factory acceptance testing. This means that Canada's next-generation trainer is ready for service in Canada.

Acceptance trials included a comprehensive check of the aircraft's systems, avionics, and overall build quality. Earlier, on February 26, the aircraft completed its first flight tests.

The Pilatus PC-21 is a two-seat, low-wing, turboprop aircraft. It is powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68B engine producing 1600 horsepower. It has a top speed of 425 mph (685 km/h), a ceiling of 38,500 feet (11580 meters), and a range of 813 miles (1333 kilometers). It is equipped with avionics capable of simulating combat systems. Canada plans to replace its aging fleet with these aircraft as part of the FAcT (Flight of the Aircrew Training) program. The contract calls for the purchase of 19 aircraft.

Canada's first Goldfinch has already been painted in a yellow and blue livery. Canadian cadets will now train on these aircraft. Ottawa hopes these pilots will one day climb into the cockpit of an F-35.

Development of the Pilatus PC-21 began in 1999. The first prototype was produced three years later, and it also performed its maiden flight. Subsequently, the aircraft were built, including for export – as of 2024, they are in use in Spain and France. Previous orders have included the UAE, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Australia, and Jordan. Now it's Canada's turn.

Comments

[Deaf]

I'm certainly no expert on aviation. But how can you train a jet pilot on a turboprop? Takeoff and landing? Even taxiing and landing are fundamentally different (getting on the glide path, etc.). It's strange that they're training on the Su-27 on the Su-27UB without such equipment here.
P.S.> It's like teaching a diesel locomotive driver to drive a steam locomotive.

[Roman_Vasilyevich]

Of course, I'm not strong in aviation...

Me too, but who would train a cadet straight away on the latest generation combat aircraft?!

For example, before becoming a Formula 1 driver, racers learn to drive a kart...

[Deaf]

In civil aviation, there are many pilots with combat experience.
Well, I asked some guys. They enlightened me a little.
P.S. Just me. It was boring 25 years ago. Let's say, like, a few months of short courses straight away at UBeshka. Takeoff and landing are there. They even offered it through their line. The vestibular system turned out to be strong. Although after the first flight, he threw up. But when they took off the helmet, already on the ground, Stirlitz was sick to his stomach from the ladder. (c) Akhtubinsk.
P.S. I won't give away any numbers. I've already been given a beating for saying too much.
P.S.> Through connections, let's say. After that, I swore off flying. And to this day, I only fly helicopters. And I travel by train.

[timeout]

Quote: Deaf

I won't give out the numbers.

Of course you can't tell, because you don't know yourself. You've been singing these songs for five years now. How he called the "Rooks" on a cell phone, where there were no towers until the end of the counter-terrorist operation. About the Su-27UB you flew, which was never based in Mozdok.

Quote: Deaf

Let's say it's through connections.

Through connections with the "older brother of a T-72 driver," who arranged for a flight, and then disaster struck again... you don't have any brothers, neither driver nor artillerymen, never have. It's just the free flight of Mikhail's (aka Alexey, aka Anatoly) imagination.

[Deaf]

Quote: Timeout

The SU-27UB that I flew was never based in Mozdok.

And who said they were based there? It's a jump-off airfield and a backup for emergencies. The runways are plenty large enough for takeoff. Especially since it has braking braking. And the afterburner thrust is enough for takeoff. Or is our plane nailed down to the airfield? You're the one talking nonsense.

[timeout]

Quote: Deaf

This is a jump-off airfield and a reserve one for extreme cases.

Yeah, they made it just for you. And they brought a fighter jet. So you can take Nitakushu for a spin.

[Deaf]

No, it was one of the options.

[knn54]

-But how can you train a jet pilot to fly a turboprop?
Mikhail, the development specifications included requirements for the ability of this training device to simulate the characteristics of jet aircraft.

[Nexcom]

..and how many "goldfinch pilots" will they crank out... I just don't understand - is piloting a propeller-driven airplane the same as piloting a Penguin with a short and vertical takeoff and landing???

[Mouse]

A penguin with a short and vertical takeoff and landing???

Well, it won't fly unless you kick it... Although you shouldn't underestimate it...

[AC130 Gunship]

The F35 is produced in three versions. Canada does not purchase the STOL aircraft.

[Mouse]

."Goldfinch"

The title speaks for itself. . b

[AC130 Gunship]

Quote: Deaf

I'm certainly no expert on aviation. But how can you train a jet pilot on a turboprop? Takeoff and landing? Even taxiing and landing are fundamentally different (getting on the glide path, etc.). It's strange that they're training on the Su-27 on the Su-27UB without such equipment here.
P.S.> It's like teaching a diesel locomotive driver to drive a steam locomotive.

The main training aircraft in Russia today is the twin-engine Austrian propeller-driven aircraft. The Czech ones from the 80s have long since outlived their usefulness.

[Cool90]

The main training aircraft in Russia today is the Russian Yak-130 - 112 units

Since 2017, the Ural Civil Aviation Plant has been assembling Diamond DA42T training aircraft from machine kits under a contract to supply 35 aircraft to the Russian Ministry of Defense.

[Vikxnumx]

In the USSR, training began with the L-39. Now it should be the Yak-130...

[jaroff]

It's written this way so it's not immediately clear that the plane is Swiss. For Canada.

[K-50]

The Pilatus PC-21 is a two-seat, low-wing, turboprop aircraft. It is powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68B engine producing 1600 horsepower. It has a top speed of 425 mph (685 km/h). Its ceiling is 38,500 feet (11580 meters). Its range is 813 miles (1333 kilometers). It is equipped with avionics capable of simulating combat systems.

Here's an example of an anti-drone fighter. Patrol time is 4 hours, all that's left is to hang up the rotary machine guns for a dense destruction cloud.
The speed is perfectly suitable for quickly engaging a target. Most importantly, it's much more fuel-efficient than any jet aircraft, even training aircraft. Furthermore, the heat signature is much smaller, especially if the drone swarm includes missiles with heat-seeking heads.