THE FEELING OF TAKING THE PILATUS PC7-MK11 TO THE AIR

Date of Release: 16 July 2010

BYLINE: By Kgabo Mashamaite
PHOTOS: Ssgt Lebogang Tlhaole
 

An upgraded Pilatus PC-7 MkII (red and white centre) performs an aerial display to showcase its newly found capabilities. Accompanying the PC-7 MkII are the Silver Falcons.

The South African Air Force (SAAF) continues to raise standards in the avionics industry training because it treats its members very well and affords them an opportunity to grow.

This is the view of 33 year-old Capt Roy Sproul, Chief Flying Instructor from the Central Flying School Langebaanweg after performing an aerial display with the refurbished version of the Pilatus PC-7 MkII, which was handed over to the Chief of the Air Force (CAF) Lt Gen Carlo Gagiano by the Pilatus Aircraft Company on 13 July 2010 in Langebaan.

“The upgrade of a trainer aircraft is a well thought idea and a giant leap in the avionics training and it makes the South African Air Force (SAAF) one of the best in the world because a learner pilot utilises an aircraft incorporating 21st century technology. The capability of this aircraft is magnificent and it is out of this world,” said an experienced Capt Sproul, who has clocked 3 000 flying hours since joining the SAAF in 1997.

According to Lt Jesse Ramaisa, a co-pilot during the display and a flying instructor, to operate the aircraft one needs refresher training to make a smooth transition from the analogue cockpit to the digital version

Capt Roy Sproul Chief Flying Instructor (front) and Lt Jesse Ramaisa, Flight Instructor, at the Pilatus PC-7 MkII cockpit. They had to undergo refresh AIRBORNE Capt Roy Sproul and Lt Jesse Ramaisa after disembarking from the Pilatus PC-7 MkII after an impressive air display by the aircraft to demonstrate its COMRADES-IN-ARMS The feeling of taking the Pilatus PC7-Mk11 to the air Pilatus PC7-Mk11

“I went to Switzerland with Capt Sproul for specialised training that includes basic conversion, navigation and maintenance to enable us command, handle and manoeuvre the new version. I must admit that at first it was not easy, but one got used to it while practising, because of the state-of the-art cockpit. It is user friendly and you would be able to operate it during the night as well as during adverse weather conditions,” said 27 year old Lt Ramaisa, with 918 flying hours behind him.

The refurbishing of the aircraft was prompted by a study conducted as part of a project ITHAMBO during 2007, when it was found that the existing avionic suite of the old Pilatus Astra PC-7 could be serious obsolescent from 2008. As a cost-cutting measure, the entire analogue avionic suite was replaced with the digital one to enable the aircraft to adapt to all weather conditions and provide advanced training capabilities. According to the contractual agreement between the Armscor and the Pilatus Aircraft Ltd, the company will have to deliver at least 35 aircraft to the SAAF on a monthly basis until 2013.