First PC-21s delivered to Spain
As planned, the first two Pilatus PC-21 training aircraft for the Ejército del Aire (EdA, Spanish Air Force) were delivered to 792 Escuadrón at Murcia/San Javier (Spain) on 14 September 2021.
The PC-21s still had their Swiss test registration applied and their roundel and future future code were hidden. The serials of the new training aircraft are E.27-01/HB-HWA and E.27-02/HB-HWB.
On 28 November 2019, Scramble Magazine reported that Spain will acquire 24 Pilatus PC-21 turboprop training aircraft to replace its Casa C101EB Aviojet trainers. With the order, the Swiss manufacturer Pilatus had beaten Beechcraft (with the T-6A Texan II) and Embraer (with the EMB314 Super Tucano). Spain’s decision to buy the Pilatus PC-21 was announced by the government’s procurement platform: Plataforma de Contratacion del Sector Publico (PCSP) on 26 November 2019.
According to PCSP, Pilatus will supply the PC-21s, plus its Integrated Training System (ITS) - more efficient and better adapted to the use of modern technologies. The contract is valued at USD 204,75 million.
Due to Covid-19 delivery sechedules deviate from the original intended delivery dates.
Photo by Ejército del Aire