Contract Includes Logistics, Engineering, Debriefing
Systems
The Swiss Air Force plans to expand its PC-21 Jet Pilot Training
System (JEPAS), and has placed a follow-up order for two additional
PC-21 turboprop training aircraft along with logistics and
engineering services, plus another debriefing system. The contract
with armasuisse, the Procurement and Technology Unit of the Swiss
Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS)
was signed in Switzerland late last week, and is worth some 30
million Swiss francs. Delivery is scheduled for the first half of
2012.
Pilatus PC-21
The Swiss Air Force took delivery of a fleet of six Pilatus
PC-21 training aircraft in summer 2008. Since 2009, young Swiss Air
Force pilots transfer directly to the F/A-18 fighter jet after
basic training on the NCPC-7 and thorough instruction on the PC-21
Jet Pilot Training System (JEPAS). The PC-21’s state-of-the-
art cockpit is designed to simulate the functionalities of a modern
combat aircraft and enables the operator to train pertinent skills
at a very early stage of training. As a result, trainee pilots can
safely bypass the expensive jet trainer phase.
“The Swiss Air Force has achieved its main goal in
purchasing the PC-21s, which is to train future military pilots to
a higher standard in a shorter timeframe with the help of a
high-performance, cost-effective training system designed to allow
a direct transfer to the F/A-18 fighter jet," said Oscar J.
Schwenk, CEO and Chairman of Pilatus' Board of Directors. "We are
tremendously proud of the Swiss Air Force for their pioneering
work! Our innovative PC-21 training system is creating a stir, and
has also attracted the attention of numerous other air
forces.”
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