The Swiss Air Force has withdrawn its last Pilatus PC-9. Philippe Rey reflects on its illustrious career and the end of its aerial target-towing operations.
After 34 years of service and 28,698 flight hours, the Swiss Air Force finally retired the Pilatus PC-9 from active service in mid-December 2022. These aircraft had been acquired to replace the ageing fleet of C-3605 Schlepp and de Havilland Vampire Mk 6 in the role of target towing aircraft and simulated target for training for ground-based air defence (GBAD) troops.
The Swiss Air Force first leased two PC-9s from the Pilatus factory for various tests; these two airplanes received the provisional registration A-795 and A-797. Eventually, the Swiss Air Force purchased 12 PC-9s in three batches from 1988 to 1994, which were registered C-401 to C-412.
