PC-7
MK II - DEFENCE & SECURITY
News:
Two pilots killed in an
Indian Air Force trainer aircraft crash in Telangana’s Medak
What's
in the news?
●
Two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots were
killed after their Pilatus PC-7 Mk II trainer aircraft crashed during a routine
training sortie from the Air Force Academy at Medak, Telangana.
PC-7
MK II:
Specifications
of Pilatus PC-7 Mk II:
Manufacturer: Pilatus
Aircraft Ltd, Switzerland
Type: Low-wing,
turbo-prop aircraft with tandem seating
Maximum
Speed: 412 km/h
Maximum
Altitude: Slightly over 10,000 meters
Range: 1,200
km without external tanks (approximately 4 hours of flying time)
Trainer
aircraft:
●
A trainer aircraft is specifically designed for pilot and aircrew training
purposes.
●
These aircraft are instrumental in helping
trainees learn the basics of flying before they move on to more complex and
advanced military aircraft.
●
Trainer planes are designed to be
forgiving, easier to handle and less complex than the high-performance planes
that military pilots eventually operate.
●
They assist in teaching fundamental flight
manoeuvres, navigation and other essential skills to aspiring pilots.
Types
of trainer aircraft operated by the Air Force:
The Indian Air Force
(IAF) operates various trainer aircraft:
1.
Pilatus PC-7 Mk II:
●
Used for basic training, these aircraft
serve as the initial stage in a cadet's flight training.
●
75 of these aircraft are in service with
the IAF.
2.
HAL Kiran:
●
An intermediate jet-powered indigenous
trainer aircraft.
3.
BAE Hawk:
●
A British jet-powered advanced trainer
aircraft. The IAF currently operates 78 Kiran and 102 Hawk aircraft.
4.
Pipistrel Virus:
●
Used by the IAF, Navy, and National Cadet Corps as a basic trainer for Flight
Safety and Air Wing Cadets. Currently, there are 194 of these aircraft in
service, with 72 in the IAF.
India's
Indigenous Trainer Aircraft:
●
In a move towards indigenous production,
the Defence Ministry signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd
(HAL) to procure 70 HTT-40 aircraft.
●
The HTT-40, designed indigenously, is a
basic trainer aircraft with modern features such as air-conditioned cockpit,
modern avionics, hot refuelling and zero-zero ejection seats.
●
These aircraft are scheduled to be
delivered over a period of six years and are meant to replace or supplement
existing trainer aircraft like the Pilatus PC-7 Mk II in the IAF.