The PC-21 is a single-engine, low-wing advanced military trainer produced by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland. First flown in July of 2002, the company’s “Twenty-First Century Trainer” was designed to provide levels of performance so high that pilots could conduct the majority of their training in it before switching to jet-powered craft. As a result, militaries from a number of countries use the PC-21 in their flight schools, including the United Kingdom, Spain, Australia, and France.
Powered by a 1,600-horsepower Pratt & Whitney Canada turboprop fitted to a five-blade, constant-speed propeller, the PC-21 has a top end of 426 mph, a rate of climb of 4,000 feet per minute, and a ceiling of 38,000 feet. With its main wing, tail section, and control surfaces designed for high speed maneuvers similar to tactical jet aircraft, the PC-21 is capable of handling stresses from -4 g to +8 g.