Singapore Ministry of Defence, The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)'s first Pilatus PC-21 aircraft trainer completed its successful flight test in Stans, Switzerland on 21 Jan 2008. The acquisition of the Pilatus PC-21, a highly advanced tandem-seat turboprop aircraft trainer, is part of the RSAF's transformation to enhance the basic training and proficiency of its pilot trainees.
The first batch of 6 PC-21 aircraft trainers will be delivered to the RSAF Flying Training School (FTS) at Pearce airbase, Australia in April 2008, and will be used for flight training from June 2008. The Pilatus PC-21 aircraft replaces the RSAF's Aermacchi S-211 aircraft trainer, which the RSAF has used for the last 24 years.
Under a contract awarded through the MINDEF Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, Lockheed Martin Simulation, Training and Support (LMSTS) will provide the RSAF a Basic Wings Course (BWC) training package using the PC-21 aircraft trainer. LMSTS will supply and maintain the fleet of Pilatus PC-21 aircraft trainers and a suite of ground-based training systems. This allows the RSAF to focus on pilot training. The PPP arrangement is an innovative and cost-effective solution in meeting the RSAF's training needs.
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