Pilatus PC-21 (x2)

One of the many planned debutants at RIAT 2022 will be the Pilatus PC-21 pairs demonstration from the Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace (French Air and Space Force). This will be the first ever UK appearance of this relatively young display team, known as the "Mustang X-Ray Demo Team."

In service since 2018, the French Air Force use the Pilatus PC-21 as its advanced training aircraft, replacing the Alpha Jet and has 17 aircraft currently on strength with a further nine on order. The Swiss-made Pilatus PC-21 first flew during 2002 and over 230 examples are now in service throughout the world. The PC-21 has been specifically developed to provide high performance training previously only found in fast jet trainers from a more cost efficient turbo-prop powered platform. In the UK, the PC-21 is in service with QinetiQ as part of the Empire Test Pilots' School.

Photo Credit: Pilatus