site.btaUPDATED Air Force Marks Anniversary of Aircraft Integration, President Flies in Pilatus PC-21
The 20th anniversary of the integration of the PC-9M trainer aircraft and the PC-12/45 transport aircraft from Swiss company Pilatus into the Bulgarian Air Force was marked at Vrazhdebna Air Base near Sofia on Tuesday. President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Rumen Radev flew in the pilot cockpit of the new-generation PC-21 trainer aircraft.
Caretaker Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov, the Deputy Chief of Defence, Lt. Gen. Tsanko Stoykov, and the Air Force Commander, Mjr. Gen. Dimitar Petrov, also attended the event.
Talking to journalists after the demonstration flight, Radev commented that the F-16 programme's effectiveness significantly depends on the availability of dedicated trainer aircraft. In his words, the Air Force requires enhanced efficiency, flexibility, and capability to train its pilots effectively.
"I gladly accepted the invitation to fly this wonderful training aircraft. We have been operating the Pilatus PC platform for 20 years and have accumulated thousands of flying hours", he said. He added that this marks a new generation in aviation. "This turboprop aircraft mirrors the characteristics of a jet trainer, boasting exceptional aviation equipment for simulating both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. The onboard equipment is fully compatible with that of the F-16, Block 70," he noted. Radev explained that the acquisition and operational costs are significantly lower compared to those of jet trainer aircraft.
Radev said that in many countries, including France, the UAE, Qatar, and Switzerland, pilots transition directly from this aircraft to operating fighter jets. He conveyed his gratitude to the Swiss Air Force.
/MT/
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