PlaneFox tracks 1 Pilatus PC-9 aircraft for sale and re-reads every one of them from the broker and dealer sites it watches, so the figures below move when the market moves. Every number on this page is measured from those live listings, not taken from a published price guide.
A Pilatus PC-9 flies about 860 nm, roughly 1,593 km, which is about 2 h 53 min in still air at typical cruise.
The Pilatus PC-9 is a Swiss turboprop military trainer developed by Pilatus Aircraft as a more powerful follow on to the PC-7. It first flew on 7 May 1984, with production beginning in the mid 1980s and continuing through later improved versions, including the PC-9M. The aircraft was designed for basic and advanced pilot training, including instrument work, aerobatics, formation flying and weapons familiarization where fitted. Its importance in the used aircraft market comes from its robust military design, Pratt & Whitney Canada turbine power, tandem cockpit layout and long service history with air forces in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia.
Typical PC-9 performance places it well above piston trainers and closer to jet training profiles in handling and energy management. Published figures vary by variant and equipment fit, but the type is commonly associated with cruise speeds around 270 knots, a maximum speed of about 320 knots, range in the region of 800 to 900 nautical miles and a service ceiling of 38,000 feet. The standard powerplant is a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-62 turboprop, flat rated at 950 shp, driving a four blade propeller. Maximum takeoff weight is about 7,055 lb, with useful load dependent on avionics, military equipment, external stores provisions and civil conversion status.
The PC-9 has a tandem two seat cockpit with the instructor normally seated behind the student. Military examples are typically fitted with ejection seats, oxygen systems and a canopy that gives excellent visibility for training and formation work. The cockpit is compact and mission focused rather than passenger oriented. Avionics vary widely because most aircraft were delivered to military customers. Original examples may have analog flight instruments and military radios, while upgraded or civilian registered aircraft may feature modern GPS navigation, transponders, ADS-B equipment and selected glass displays. There is no single factory standard Garmin Perspective or G1000 installation associated with the PC-9.
Prospective buyers should focus on airframe history, military operating environment, fatigue tracking, logbook continuity, engine time, propeller condition, ejection seat status and the quality of any civil certification work. Important variants include the PC-9/A assembled for Australia, and the PC-9M with aerodynamic and systems refinements. Some aircraft may have weapons training provisions removed or deactivated. In the used market, the PC-9 occupies a specialized position: a high performance turbine trainer for experienced operators, warbird owners and organizations needing military style training capability, rather than a conventional business or personal transport aircraft.