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Pilatus PC-12 NG

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  • Pilatus PC-12 NG

    The first Air Corps PC-12 has made its maiden flight.



  • #2
    Positive development. Hopefully there will be no unexpected delays.

    Very thankful that it isn't a god awful Cessna Caravan.

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    • #3
      The integration and testing of its mission role equipment in realistic test scenarios will be key.

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      • #4
        How are they being fitted out?

        Night optics and FLIR? Or is it reclining leather seats with an inflight drinks service?
        It is only by contemplation of the incompetent that we can appreciate the difficulties and accomplishments of the competent.

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        • #5
          Originally posted by Bam Bam View Post
          How are they being fitted out?

          Night optics and FLIR? Or is it reclining leather seats with an inflight drinks service?
          Have you bothered to read the tender specification?

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          • #6
            For those of you who don't know, aircraft are commonly test flown and fitted out in the basic primer paint, as seen here, before getting the final paint scheme, before the very last acceptance event. By the look of it, it is still a Swiss aircraft and will not become "Irish" for a while yet.

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            • #7
              Did a little bit of searching on this aircraft, and found that it's civil reg (HB-FSF) is used by Pilatus as a temporary registration for aircraft before it gets its final reg. This aircraft, serial 1795 (shown on the nosewheel door), was noted transiting through Prestwick > Reykjavik > Kangerlussuaq > Iqaluit > Thunder Bay > Denver (BJC) between May 30th to June 2nd, where Pilatus have an aircraft completion centre.

              Picture of the aircraft transiting Prestwick airport

              * https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/8967695

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              • #8
                The aircraft will have all mission equipment installed in the US.

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by Chuck View Post
                  The aircraft will have all mission equipment installed in the US.
                  Well that should dispel any lingering doubt as to these aircraft. In that case, the fit out will be done by the experts and it will be a very capable force multiplier.

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Jetjock View Post
                    Well that should dispel any lingering doubt as to these aircraft. In that case, the fit out will be done by the experts and it will be a very capable force multiplier.
                    i don't think there were ever any doubts about the quality of the installation, more about what was actually going to be installed...

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                    • #11
                      It's one thing to install capable equipment, its another to verify it actually works under realistic testing scenarios

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by meridian View Post
                        Did a little bit of searching on this aircraft, and found that it's civil reg (HB-FSF) is used by Pilatus as a temporary registration for aircraft before it gets its final reg. This aircraft, serial 1795 (shown on the nosewheel door), was noted transiting through Prestwick > Reykjavik > Kangerlussuaq > Iqaluit > Thunder Bay > Denver (BJC) between May 30th to June 2nd, where Pilatus have an aircraft completion centre.

                        Picture of the aircraft transiting Prestwick airport

                        * https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/8967695
                        Is that not rather a lot of miles to put onto a “new” airframe? (I know nothing about how these things work!)
                        'He died who loved to live,' they'll say,
                        'Unselfishly so we might have today!'
                        Like hell! He fought because he had to fight;
                        He died that's all. It was his unlucky night.
                        http://www.salamanderoasis.org/poems...nnis/luck.html

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          You keep saying realistic testing scenarios. Is this some type of buzzword you just discovered?

                          The first aircraft is probably not far off 12 months away at this stage. Of course there is going to be extensive testing of equipment. The tender spec points quite clearly to having a heavy focus on interoperability with both the Army and NS.

                          There are other operators out there, including the US who can offer insight into what does and doesn't work. This isn't reinventing the wheel.

                          This aircraft and its mission is almost entirely new for the AC so of course there will be teething problems. Accepting a new aircraft type and the subsequent myriad of training syllabi etc etc is probably one of the most challenging things an air arm can do, especially for one that doesn't have endless resources and has significant HR and retention issues.

                          This isn't like buying soft ordnance or clothing which the army routinely make a balls of. It is a little more complex.

                          Your two posts on this thread contribute very little to the discussion.
                          Last edited by Chuck; 8 June 2018, 06:55.

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                          • #14
                            I wonder if it will end up like the Dauphins overloaded with rarely used kit. Or the Defender just overloaded. ISTAR is a great capability in a military with a real combat role.
                            Still the PC 12 will be great for getting politicians to Brussels relatively cheaply.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by meridian View Post
                              Did a little bit of searching on this aircraft, and found that it's civil reg (HB-FSF) is used by Pilatus as a temporary registration for aircraft before it gets its final reg. This aircraft, serial 1795 (shown on the nosewheel door), was noted transiting through Prestwick > Reykjavik > Kangerlussuaq > Iqaluit > Thunder Bay > Denver (BJC) between May 30th to June 2nd, where Pilatus have an aircraft completion centre.

                              Picture of the aircraft transiting Prestwick airport

                              * https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/8967695
                              know little about aircraft but it looks like its all square segments riveted , not the smooth lines of a modern craft,,

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