An Cosantóir

22 and progress to more advanced operations, such as further training on larger aircraft, such as PC-12, CASA, and the fleet of helicopters. The Air Corps retired its Cessna/Reims Rocket FR172H in recent years and interestingly enough, this was never the first aircraft on which the students learned to fly. Even with the seemingly much simpler Cessna, students would fly on the PC-9M first and then progress to the FR172H, which were mainly used in operations in the Aid to the Civil Power role. These duties included, overhead surveillance and reconnaissance for cash in transit conveys, aerial surveying, prisoner escort and even parachute training in the past. The aircraft were also used to tow the targets for artillery and anti-aircraft exercises. How does the Pilatus PC-9M fit into the training role? When coupled with simulator- based training, it is one of the best training aircraft around. Students can be taught about all the technical aspects of it from the ground up. It works extremely well as a basic training machine; however, it is also a very capable airplane, with exceptionally good spin and stall characteristics. It is equipped with a full "glass cockpit", where all the information is being displayed to the pilot on a large, centralised LCD screen. It also has a very modern HUD (head-up-display) system, which feeds all the basic information about the flight such as speed, altitude, flight path and more. This instrumentation set-up prepares students for interaction with similar systems on more advanced aircraft such as the H135 and AW139 helicopters, PC-12, Lear 45 or the latest version of the Airbus Military C295, which will soon be entering service with the Irish Air Corps. In the Flying Training School, The PC-9M has three main roles: 1. Flying Training 2. Combat and Tactical Training (Air-to-Ground and Air-to-Air weapons and tactical flying and interception) 3. Ceremonial/Display Flying Flying Training is at the very core of the Air Corps' utilisation of this aircraft for both Student Pilot Wings Courses and Flying Instructor Courses. However, the instructor cadre at the Flying Training School are trained in the employment of the aircrafts' weapons systems. The PC-9M can be equipped with underwing rocket launcher pods and machine gun pods for the Air-to-Ground and Air-to-Air role. In various air forces across the world, the PC-9M and the Beechcraft T-6 Texan has proven itself to be more than able to provide a very accurate and effective Close Air Support solution for troops on the ground. It is very fast and manoeuvrable while flying low level, has a very low IR signature and low noise emission, which makes it a very successful support asset. In the broader picture however, the PC-9M was never built to be a combat aircraft. It was designed to be a truly 21st century training aircraft and it excels in its role in every aspect. The aircraft is fitted with an Integrated Smoke Generation System for use of the aircraft in the ceremonial role at State Commemorative events and large sporting occasions to mention but a few, in addition to Air Displays. From a technical standpoint, the aircraft, is powered by a Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6A-62 turboprop engine, which is driving a four-blade propeller by Hartzell. This powerplant combination can generate 950shp at its Max Power output. The aircraft can climb at the rate of 20.8 meters per second and can fly with a max cruise speed of 593 km/h. It can reach altitudes of 25,000 feet and has a maximum take-off weight is 2,350kg. I had a chance to speak to André Zimmermann, Vice President of Government Aviation Department at Pilatus. Lukasz Gancarz: How many countries are using the PC-9 now? André Zimmermann: Variants of the PC-9 have been in use by more than 15 militaries around the world since the 1980s including the Royal Australian Air Force, the Irish Air Corps, the Swiss Air Force, the Royal Thai Air Force, the Croatian Air Force, the Slovenian Air Force and many others. More than 260 units have been built to date and the PC-9 remains a highly capable trainer aircraft that is extremely popular with its customers. LG: Is the PC-9 still being developed/modernised and if so, what changes/modifications are on the table? AZ: Whilst the first PC-9s were produced in the mid- 1980s, the configuration baseline of the aircraft has PILATUS PC-9M A pilot of the 104 Squadron sitting in the cockpit of a PC-9M preparing for take-off Two Air Corps PC-9M pilots prepare for a routine flight out of Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnell

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