Pilatus PC-11

M.Hardy. Gliders & Sailplanes of the world

Pilatus B4-PC11

More than 330 examples of this popular Standard Class Swiss single-seater had been delivered to customers in no less than 30 countries by March 1978, and the production rate was as high as 7-8 aircraft per month. The popularity of the Pilatus B4-PC11 AF, as the current version is designated, owes much to its suitability both for the pilot who has just soloed, because of its docile handling characteristics, and to the more experienced pilot because it is cleared for aerobatics and has a good performance, besides being suitable for multi-purpose training. Certification for full aerobatic manoeuvres was granted in January 1975. Of all-metal construction, the type was designed by Ingo Herbot as a private venture and first flew in prototype form, as the B-4, in 1966; the design was taken over and developed by Pilatus as the B4-PC11, which first flew in 1972. Swiss certification was granted on 12 June that year, and the first delivery was made shortly afterwards. On 19 June 1978 Pilatus announced the sale of all manufacturing and sales rights in the B4 to the Japanese firm of Nippi - Nihon Kikoki Kabushiki Kaisha (or Japan Aircraft Manufacturing Co Ltd) so as to be able to concentrate on production and development of the PC-6 Turbo-Porter and PC-7 Turbo-Trainer. The first Nippi-built B4-PC11 AF was rolled out on 1 June 1979 and initial production is to be at three per month after Japanese certification. The first Nippi-built B4-PC11 AF made its maiden flight on 25 November 1979. Pilatus is to continue the product support of Swiss-built examples. The B4 is a cantilever shoulder-wing monoplane with a T-tail; the wings are of light alloy with a U-shaped light alloy main spar and hard PVC foam ribs between the metal ribs; the large skin panels are attached to the main spar by a single row of countersunk rivets, and the ailerons are of similar construction. There are light alloy spoilers in the wing upper surfaces at the 60% chord line. The semi-monocoque fuselage is also of light alloy, with a flush-riveted skin, and the rear fuselage consists of two half-shells riveted together. The light alloy T-tail has PVC ribs and a fixed-incidence tailplane, and the elevator has a bias spring for trimming. The landing gear consists of a non-retractable unsprung Tost monowheel with drum brakes, although a retractable one can be fitted if the customer desires, and there is a fixed tailwheel; small doors enclose the monowheel when retracted. The pilot sits in a semi-reclining position under a sideways-hinging canopy that is jettisonable in flight, and a battery radio and oxygen system are optional.

Data: B4-PC11 AF
Span: 49 ft 2 1/2 in
Length: 21 ft 6 3/4 in
Height: 5 ft 1 3/4 in
Wing area: 151.1 sqft
Aspect ratio: 16.0
Empty weight: 507 lb
Max weight: 771 Ib
Max speed: 149 mph (in smooth air)
Max aero-tow speed: 112 mph
Min sinking speed: 2.1 ft/sec at 45 mph
Best glide ratio: 35:1 at 53 mph

Production of the Pilatus B-4 PC-11AF all-metal high performance sailplane is set at 80 units for 1977, following the type’s success last year.

Pilatus B4-PC11. All manufacturing rights and hardware for the fully aerobatic, all-metal Pilatus B-4 sailplane are to be transferred to Nippi, in Japan, owing to capacity shortage at Pilatus’ Stans factory in Switzerland.

Pilatus B4-PC11 single-seat Standard Class sailplane

Clockwise from the bottom left are: Partenavia P.68B G-BCDK and its glazed-nose development, the P.68 Observer, D-GERD; the Polish contingent comprising agricultural PZL-106A Kruk SP-WUF, PZL-104 Wilga SP-WRE; TS-11 Iskra jet trainer SP-DOE and SZD-41A Jantar sailplane SP-3060; followed by the Swiss Pilatus Turbo-Porter HB-FFVZ, PC-11/B4 sailplane HB-1253, and tail of Turbo-Trainer HB-HOZ