Australia's Air Force Chief Pilots First Flight OF Pilatus PC-21 Training System

Australia's Chief of Air Force has completed first flight in the Lockheed Martin's AIR 5428 Pilatus  PC-21 Pilot Training System.

The Chief of Air Force's first flight of the in-service Pilatus PC-21 aircraft was shown at a media event hosted by Australian Minister for Defence Senator Marise Payne, in East Sale, Australia yesterday. 

"We recognise this marks the beginning of training for Australia's fifth-generation air capability," said Vince Di Pietro, chief executive for Lockheed Martin Australia who attended the event along with AIR 5428 partners Pilatus Aircraft and Hawker Pacific in a statement Tuesday.

Under the AIR 5428 contract, Lockheed Martin is providing overall project management for the pilot training system and delivering a family of integrated ground-based training technologies.

Pilatus Aircraft is providing 49 PC-21 turboprop training aircraft and through-life engineering and airworthiness support, while Hawker Pacific is providing maintenance services and fleet support, and leveraging its established supply chain in Australia.

Signed in December 2015, the initial seven-year AIR 5428 Pilot Training System is valued at AU$1.2 billion, with performance-based options to extend the value and length of the contract for up to 25 years.