Aircraft
French Air Force PC-7 MKX Trainer Makes First Flight
Test campaign commences from Pilatus’ Swiss headquarters
Pilatus PC-7 MKX basic training aircraft
The MKX is an upgrade to the Pilatus PC-7 single-engine, two-seat, basic training aircraft. © Pilatus Aircraft

Pilatus has started the flight test campaign of the first PC-7 MKX trainer destined for the French air force. The milestone was announced by the manufacturer on October 14, which published a video of the aircraft taking off from its production site in Stans, Switzerland. 

In January 2025, the French defense procurement agency announced it had selected the turboprop as the air force’s next basic trainer: replacing the existing Cirrus SR20 and Grob 120A fleet in the ab initio role. In 2027, Pilatus is due to deliver 22 PC-7 MKXs to the Armée de l'Air, along with ground-based training tools. Training will be provided by contractor Babcock France, which was awarded a 17 year contract under the ‘Mentor 2’ tender in 2025.

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