Trainers Get New Glass Cockpits

The South African Air Force (SAAF) has contracted Pilatus to integrate an avionics upgrade on 35 of their Pilatus Astra PC-7 MkII fleet. The upgrade will involve removing the obsolete avionics from the fleet, replacing them with new modern “glass cockpit” components that will be procurable and supportable for the life of the aircraft.

The trial installation aircraft upgrade was performed at Pilatus Aircraft in Switzerland during 2009. This trial installation was used to validate the modifications, kit lists, tooling, and procedures required to perform the modifications of the remainder of the aircraft in South Africa. The first flight of the modified aircraft took place on September 23rd, and was seen as a significant milestone on the program schedule.

Pilatus PC-7 MKII File Photo

The modification of the rest of the fleet will be completed by Aerosud, under contract to Pilatus, at Langebaanweg Air Force Base in South Africa. Aerosud will be supported by Pilatus Field Service Engineers during the initial contract period. The first in-country aircraft modification is scheduled to begin in mid November 2009, after which the remainder of the aircraft will be modified on a staggered schedule. The fleet modifications in South Africa is expected to take three and a half years.

The contract also includes two new Flight Training Devices, Training, Ground Based Training Systems and Spares.

FMI: www.pilatus-aircraft.com