The RAAF has celebrated a milestone with its Pilatus PC-21 aircraft. Photo: ADF.
The Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) fleet of Pilatus PC-21 advanced trainers has reached a major milestone after it recently logged its 100,000th flying hour.
The 49 PC-21s are operated by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) at three locations with three separate training units, and are tasked with training pilots from all three ADF services.
After a protracted service introduction, the final PC-21 was delivered to the RAAF in 2019. The PC-21 replaced the CT-4E basic trainer and PC-9 advanced trainer in service through the Project AIR 5428 Phase 1 Pilot Training System requirement.
AIR 5428-1 was a long time in its development to meet its long-term goals of training a new generation of pilots for all branches of the ADF. Prior to AIR 5428, the ADF’s pilot training system was very much an analogue system geared towards previous generations of aircraft.
The primary catalyst for the new PTS was the RAAF’s commitment to the multinational F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program.
Operating the F-35 and other modern aircraft such as the F/A-18F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, P-8A Poseidon, the Navy’s MH-60R Romeo helicopter, Army’s MRH 90 Taipan and follow-on UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, as well as various uncrewed capabilities meant the next generation of ADF pilots would be required to not only fly the aircraft, but to be far more involved in ‘flying the mission’ in a networked environment.
A tender for AIR 5428 was released in August 2013 and called for a new generation aircraft capable of conducting undergraduate basic and advanced pilot courses, and post-graduate qualified flying instructor (QFI) courses.
The PTS was also to provide initial flight training for candidate pilots for the joint Army/Navy Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS) that was then being established under Project AIR 9000 Phase 7.
Designed to provide more than just a new training aircraft, AIR 5428 also called for a system comprising new training facilities, synthetic training devices – i.e. simulators, new courseware, and an integrated training syllabus that would tie all of the project elements together.
Under the contract which was won by Lockheed Martin Australia and its ‘Team 21’ industry partners, 42 PC-21s were delivered to conduct basic flying training and QFI training by the RAAF’s Central Flying School (CFS) at East Sale in Victoria, and the advanced flying training ‘wings’ course with No 2 Flying Training School (2FTS) at Pearce near Perth.
The remaining seven PC-21s are operated by the No 4 Squadron Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) training unit at Williamtown near Newcastle, while aircraft are seconded to the Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU) at Edinburgh near Adelaide as required.
The PC-21 is also flown by the RAAF’s aerobatic team – the Roulettes – using QFIs and aircraft from CFS.
Some $400 million was also assigned to develop a new Air Academy at East Sale and at Pearce, with new hangars, an expanded ramp, flight line shelters, ground support equipment garages, modern classroom and learning facilities, and student accommodation.
The RAAF’s first PC-21 made its maiden flight in July 2016, and the first two aircraft were ferried to Australia in February and March 2017.
Delays to the rollout of the program were experienced through problems with the simulators and courseware, but these were largely overcome by the time the final aircraft was delivered in 2019.
The Commander of Air Force Training Group Air Commodore David Strong emphasised the crucial role of people and partnerships in preparing the next generation of ADF pilots for the challenges of modern air operations.
“The PC-21 is a key platform in bridging the gap between basic flight training and frontline readiness, ensuring that Defence aviators are equipped to meet the evolving demands of complex missions,” he said.
“Reaching 100,000 flying hours is a remarkable milestone for Air Force, and reflects the exceptional capabilities of the PC-21 aircraft.
“This achievement highlights the continuing commitment of our people and industry partners in providing world-class training to our future pilots. The PC-21 remains at the forefront of modern aircrew development, enabling us to prepare the best pilots for the future.”
New Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand CEO Steven Roberton congratulated the RAAF on the achievement.
“The PC-21 100K flight hours showcases the high calibre of the ADF’s future pilots together with industry’s sustained focus on providing a world-class training capability,” he said.
“The PC-21 is the mainstay of the Air Force’s Flying Training Schools with many ADF pilots having earnt their wings on the PC-21.”
While the PTS delivers training to pilot candidates, it was not designed to address the entire range of RAAF officer aviation roles.
To this end, the ADF has released its Project AIR 5428 Phase 3 Air Mission Training System (AMTS) requirement which will train RAAF mission aircrew and mission controller candidates, including air battle managers, air mobility officers, air traffic controllers, electronic warfare officers, maritime patrol and response officers, airborne electronics analysts, and weapons system officers.
