Felipe VI undertakes a flight in the Pilatus training aircraft slated for Princess Leonor's instruction.
Unleashing the Future: Spain's New Aviation Powerhouse, the Pilatus PC-21
Today saw King Felipe VI embark on an exhilarating journey, piloting the state-of-the-art Pilatus PC-21 during a visit to the San Javier airbase. The aircraft will be Princess Leonor's training vessel, starting her tenure at the General Air Academy (AGA) in September.
The 40-minute flight, a highlight of the 'Aire 25' festival commemorating the 40 years of the Eagle Patrol, found Felipe VI suited up and accompanied by an academy instructor, Commander Guzmán. This modern Swiss aircraft is set to replace the much-loved CASA C-101 — affectionately known as 'culopollo' — as the Air Force's training aircraft.
The Pilatus PC-21 boasts unparalleled capabilities in power, agility, safety, and maneuverability. With an autonomy of 1,300 kilometers, this ultra-modern turbojet aircraft is considered the ideal platform for training tomorrow's pilots.
"An aircraft that's truly brilliant," explains Captain Miguel Belmonte, an academy instructor, "with a remarkable knack for adapting to the varying requirements of a pilot, be they beginners or advanced trainees." Although the first flight of this model took place in 2002, it didn't enter service in Spain until 2022.
Following a meeting with the instructors, King Felipe VI boarded a PC-21, accompanied by a commander, for a formation flight and various maneuvers.
Expecting a Crowd
This weekend is set to witness up to half a million people at the San Javier airbase, with a capacity to accommodate 80,000 visitors. From early morning, folks have been queueing up to access the base, eager to explore the aircraft on display.
Visitors also caught a glimpse of the French patrol's aerial acrobatics, but the main event will occur on Sunday, featuring an extraordinary aerial exhibition. The Eagle Patrol, alongside Patrouille Suisse, Patrulla Aspa, and the Frecce Tricolori, will captivate spectators with breathtaking figures drawn in the sky at the San Javier Air Base and on the beaches of the Mar Menor.
This will be the last chance to witness the 'culopollo' in action, the aircraft that formed the backbone of Air Force training since the late 70s. With over 500 performances throughout its career, and more than 275,000 flight hours clocked, the Eagle Patrol holds an esteemed place in the world of aerial acrobatics[2][3][4].
Insights:
The Pilatus PC-21 is an advanced turboprop aircraft designed for military pilot training, boasting state-of-the-art avionics, a pressurized cabin, and modern handling characteristics. It replaces the CASA C-101 Aviojet due to its advanced training capabilities, cost-effectiveness, and better transition for pilots moving to jet aircraft. The Spanish Air Force has ordered 40 PC-21s, setting the stage for enhanced training and modernization of their aviation capabilities[2][3][4].
The Pilatus PC-21, with its unparalleled capabilities, has revolutionized the finance sector within the aerospace industry, offering a more cost-effective solution for training tomorrow's pilots compared to its predecessor, the CASA C-101 Aviojet. During sports events, such as the San Javier airbase's 'Aire 25' festival, the average spectator is astonished by the exquisite performance of this modern aircraft, setting a new standard for the training of pilots in Spain.
