Next batch of RAAF PC-9s for sale

From 12 to 19 March 2021, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is auctioning a second batch of Pilatus PC-9/A training aircraft. Next to the aircraft, also large batches of spare parts are being auctioned.

The PC-9/A was introduced to Australia in 1987, with the first pilot training commencing in 1989. Pilatus delivered 67 PC-9/As to Australia, two were fully built aircraft supplied by Pilatus, seventeen were assembled from kits and 48 were built under licence in Australia by Hawker de Havilland. It provided excellent service to the RAAF for the past 30 years, training thousands of aircrew from Army, Navy and Air Force.

The PC-9/As were mainly operated by the Central Flying School (CFS) at East Sale (Vic.) and the 2nd Flying Training School (2FTS) at Pearce (WA). A handful was used by the 4 Squadron at Williamtown (NSW) in the role of Forward Air Control and the Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU) at Edinburgh (SA).

The 2nd Flying Training School was the last unit operating the PC-9/A and wrapped up operations in December 2019. This unit was also responsible for the Air Demonstration Team "The Roulettes".

The PC-9/A has been replaced by 49 Pilatus PC-21 aircraft under the AIR5428 Pilot Training System project. The PC-21 will be used as the Australian Defence Force's (ADF) advanced fixed-wing training aircraft. The first two PC-21s arrived in Australia in march 2017, the last one was accepted early December 2019.

In March 2020, the first batch of PC-9/As was auctioned. This batch consisted of 18 aircraft. The sale of the aircraft and spare parts is being undertaken by Australian Frontline Machinery, in conjunction with Pickles auctions. The batch which will be auctioned next month consists of eight aircraft.

According to the information in the Scramble Magazine database for Australia, the following PC-9/As are accounted for to have been sold or will be sold.

A23-004 to South Africa in March 2019
A23-005 auction March 2021
A23-006 to N506GB (private)
A23-007 to Blue Air Training LLc. as N669BA
A23-011 to Air USA Inc. as N905XX
A23-012 to Air USA Inc. as N906XX *)
A23-015 to Air USA Inc. as N907XX *)
A23-017 with Meier Motors GmbH at Bremgarten (Germany)
A23-018 auction March 2021
A23-025 with Meier Motors GmbH at Bremgarten (Germany)
A23-026 with Meier Motors GmbH at Bremgarten (Germany)
A23-033 to N625PC (private)
A23-037 to Dalks Leasing Inc. as N95TB
A23-043 to South Africa in March 2019
A23-044 auction March 2021
A23-045 to Blue Air Training LLc. as N774BA
A23-046 auction March 2021
A23-047 to Dalks Leasing Inc. as N90AD
A23-048 to N548BG (private)
A23-049 with Meier Motors GmbH at Bremgarten (Germany)
A23-050 auction March 2021
A23-052 to Blue Air Training LLc. as N775BA
A23-053 to Blue Air Training LLc. as N776BA
A23-054 to Blue Air Training LLc. as N354BA
A23-059 to South Africa in March 2019
A23-060 to Air USA Inc. as N908XX
A23-062 to Blue Air Training LLc. as N810BA
A23-064 to Air USA Inc. as N909XX
A23-065 with Meier Motors GmbH at Bremgarten (Germany)
A23-066 to South Africa in March 2019
A23-067 to South Africa in March 2019
*) Reported as to be auctioned in March 2021.
Blue Air Training LLc. and Air USA Inc. both operate out of Las Vegas/North Las Vegas airport (NV).

A number of aircraft will stay in Australia and will be used for preservation.

A23-020 preserved Fighterworld museum at Williamtown (NSW)
A23-022 preserved RAAF Townsville Aviation Heritage Centre (Qld.)
A23-028 preserved Fleet Air Arm Museum, Nowra (NSW)
A23-031 to Air Force History & Heritage Branch (HH-AF) for eventual static display at RAAF Wagga
A23-032 to Air Force History & Heritage Branch (HH-AF) for eventual static display at RAAF Wagga
A23-036 gate guard at East Sale (Vic.)

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Photo: Australian Defence Magazine