Pilatus Wins Pc-21 Follow-Up Order from the Swiss Air Force
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MEDIA RELEASE Stans, December 17, 2010 PILATUS WINS PC-21 FOLLOW-UP ORDER FROM THE SWISS AIR FORCE Pilatus Aircraft Ltd is delighted that the Swiss Air Force is to expand its successful PC-21 Jet Pilot Training System (JEPAS) with a follow-up order for two further PC-21 turboprop training aircraft with logistics and engineering services, plus another debriefing system. The contract with armasuisse, the Procurement and Technology Unit of the Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS), was signed in Stans on 17 December 2010, and is worth some 30 million Swiss francs. Delivery is scheduled for the first half of 2012. The Swiss Air Force took delivery of a fleet of six Pilatus PC-21 training aircraft in summer 2008. Since 2009, young Swiss Air Force pilots transfer directly to the F/A-18 fighter jet after basic training on the NCPC-7 and thorough instruction on the PC-21 Jet Pilot Training System (JEPAS). The PC-21's state-of- the-art cockpit is designed to simulate the functionalities of a modern combat aircraft and enables the operator to train pertinent skills at a very early stage of training. As a result, trainee pilots can safely bypass the expensive jet trainer phase. Oscar J. Schwenk, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors, comments as follows on the contract: "The Swiss Air Force has achieved its main goal in purchasing the PC- 21s, which is to train future military pilots to a higher standard in a shorter timeframe with the help of a high-performance, cost-effective training system designed to allow a direct transfer to the F/A-18 fighter jet. We are tremendously proud of the Swiss Air Force for their pioneering work! Our innovative PC-21 training system is creating a stir, and has also attracted the attention of numerous other air forces." Pilatus Aircraft Ltd is very pleased to have been awarded this follow-up order, and is proud to see the JEPAS PC-21 training programme used by the Swiss Air Force with such success. As partner to the Swiss Air Force and armasuisse, Pilatus would like to reiterate its commitment to customer service, Swiss precision and uncompromising quality in every respect. Further media information is available from: Oscar J. Schwenk, Chairman and CEO Pilatus Aircraft Ltd, P.O. Box 992, 6371 Stans, Switzerland Phone: +41 41 619 62 05, Fax: +41 41 619 60 34 E-Mail: [email protected] MEDIA RELEASE Page 2/2 Photos are available to download, free of charge, at http://images.pilatus- aircraft.com. www.pilatus-aircraft.com Pilatus Aircraft Ltd was founded in 1939 and is currently world market leader in the manufacture and sale of single-engine turboprop aircraft. It is the only Swiss company that develops and produces private and training aircraft. Pilatus, which is headquartered in Stans, Switzerland, is licensed to maintain and perform upgrades on a variety of aircraft. This service is complemented by three independent subsidiaries in Altenrhein (Switzerland), in Broomfield (Colorado, USA) and Adelaide (Australia). With a workforce of over 1100 at its head office, Pilatus is one of the biggest employers in Central Switzerland. Pilatus additionally provides training for almost 100 apprentices in nine different professions - job training for young people has always been a very high priority at Pilatus. Private jet rent. Individual and corporate charters https://bysky.aero .