The Netherlands has signed a contract with Pilatus, becoming the first country to purchase the company’s new PC-7 MKX flight training system.
The deal includes eight PC-7 MKXs with ground-based training systems and four simulators.
Pilatus plans to deliver the system in the first half of 2027.
The system will equip Royal Netherlands Air Force student pilots and instructors with advanced tools to enhance situational awareness.
“With the contract signing for a state-of-the-art learning environment we are extending this partnership for another 30 years,” the Dutch Ministry of Defense stated.
With the delivery, the European nation aims to replace its older PC-7 Turbo-Trainers, upgrading its training fleet at Woensdrecht Air Base in the country’s southwest.
The contract “will see us bring our brand-new PC-7 MKX into service together with a comprehensive suite of training aids designed and developed by Pilatus to ensure seamless integration of the training system,” stated Ioannis Papachristofilou, VP of Government Aviation at Pilatus.
PC-7 MKX Training System Features
The PC-7 MKX avionics system comes with a standard configuration and optional features such as a traffic advisory system, autopilot, cockpit camera, and mission debriefing system to support different training requirements.
The cockpit features multiple displays to support different flight modes, allowing pilots to monitor the flight management system, engine data, and the crew alerting system.
“The flight simulators will play a larger role, ensuring that fewer aircraft are required, underlining the cost-effectiveness of the new, fully integrated training system by Pilatus,” stated the company.
The package also includes virtual reality (VR)-based components, incorporating interactive wallboards and VR modules.
Another key feature is the training management system, which includes advanced tools for mission planning and debriefing, offering early access to complex mission analytics typically introduced only in advanced training stages.
