Pilatus launches flight testing with first PC-7 MKX trainer for French air force

Basic trainer began flight activities in Switzerland on 9 October.
Pilatus has launched flight-test activities with a first PC-7 MKX ordered for the French air force, with the basic trainer completing a debut sortie on 9 October.

A second flight with the lead example – serial number 1009, which will later gain the service registration 701HA – took place from the Swiss airframer’s Stans production site on 13 October.

France will field a 22-strong fleet of the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-25C-engined MKX, under a January 2025 contract signed via its Mentor2 programme training provider Babcock France.

The nation’s next four aircraft (serial numbers 1010-1013) are also now undergoing final assembly in Stans.

Pilatus on 7 September flew its first production example of the PC-7 MKX, with that aircraft part of an eight-unit order for the Royal Netherlands Air Force. Deliveries to the service are due to start during 2027.

A third customer, Belgium, will field 18 examples of the new generation PC-7 model, under an order placed in November 2025.

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