21st Century Security
Australia News Releases
EAST SALE, Australia, 4 December 2024 – Team 21 partners - Lockheed Martin Australia, Pilatus, and Jet Aviation, congratulate the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) on its PC-21 trainer aircraft fleet surpassing 100,000 flight hours for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Pilot Training System.
With 49 aircraft in service and 100,000 hours flown, the PC-21 cements its position as one of the world’s most advanced pilot training aircraft for Australia’s future aviators. At the leading edge of pilot training technology, the PC-21 will continue to prepare ADF pilots for complex missions for the next two decades.
As the systems integrator, Lockheed Martin Australia brings together all components of the Pilot Training System, from classroom to cockpit, under the Team 21 banner including Pilatus Training Systems Australia and Jet Aviation industry partners.
Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand Chief Executive Steven Roberton said, “Congratulations to the RAAF on this remarkable achievement. The PC-21 100K flight hours showcases the high calibre of the ADF’s future pilots together with industry’s sustained focus on providing a world-class training capability.”
“The PC-21 is the mainstay of the Air Force’s Flying Training Schools with many ADF pilots having earnt their wings on the PC-21.”
“We are deeply honoured that the RAAF continue to entrust Lockheed Martin Australia and Team 21 partners to train pilots to meet Defence’s capability needs.”
“Moving forward, we will continue to prioritise mission readiness at every stage in the training continuum to increase student throughput and achieve training efficiencies”
Pilatus VP Government Aviation Ioannis Papachristofilou said, “Pilatus is committed to continuing the provision of a comprehensive support solution for the in-service sustainment of the PC-21 Next Generation Trainer fleet and is delighted to do so through its Australian subsidiary, Pilatus Training Solutions Australia, now operating in a brand-new purpose-built facility in Sale.”
Jet Aviation Defence Vice President Craig Purry said, “We extend our deepest congratulations to the RAAF on this fantastic milestone. We are honoured to be a Team 21 partner and take great pride in offering our maintenance expertise to support Australia’s future pilots.”
About Lockheed Martin Australia
Headquartered in Canberra, Lockheed Martin Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation. The company employs more than 1,600 people in Australia working on a wide range of major programs spanning the aerospace, Defence and civil sectors.
Lockheed Martin Australia Media Contact:
Stacey Ward, +61 439 369 305, stacey.l.ward@global.lmco.com
About Team 21 partners
Pilatus
Founded in 1939, Pilatus Aircraft Ltd develops and produces the world’s most unique aircraft: from the legendary PC-12, the best-selling single-engine turboprop in its class, to the PC-7 MKX and PC-21 and associated simulators, the market-leading systems for pilot training. The brand-new PC-24 is the world’s first ever business jet designed for use on short unprepared runways. The Pilatus team consists of over 2500 exceptional employees who make the company, which is domiciled in Stans, one of the largest and most innovative employers in Central Switzerland. The Pilatus Group also includes independent subsidiaries in the USA and Australia. Pilatus provides training for over 140 apprentices in various professions – job training for young people has always been a very high priority. Pilatus remains committed to Switzerland as a hub for work and new ideas, and acts in a sustainable and environmentally-conscious manner at all times.
Jet Aviation
Jet Aviation is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) with some 4,000 employees and 50 locations worldwide. Jet Aviation’s offerings include aircraft management, aircraft sales, charter, completions, defence, FBO, maintenance and staffing.