The success of the P-2 led to development of a new general-purpose trainer under the designation Pilatus P-3, the prototype of which was flown for the first time on 3 September 1953. Intended for use as both a primary and advanced trainer, the P-3 is of cantilever low-wing monoplane configuration and differs from its predecessor by being of all-rnetal construction. It has retractable tricycle landing gear, but as the P-3 was required by the Swiss air force for ‘all-through’ training, from the primary stage to the point of passing on to the de Havilland Vampire jet trainer, a lower-powered engine was adopted, the Avco Lycoming GO-435-C2A. Like the P-2 that preceded it into service, the P-3 has similar standards of equipment or weapons for comprehensive pilot training by day or night. A total of 72 P-3s was built for the Swiss air force, and in 1993 a handful of these remain in service.

Pilatus P3 Article

A small number were supplied to Brazil, but these were superseded by indigenous trainers by 1993.

P-3
Engine: 1 x Avco Lycoming GO-435-C2A, 194kW
Max take-off weight: 1500 kg / 3307 lb
Loaded weight: 1110 kg / 2447 lb
Wingspan: 10.4 m / 34 ft 1 in
Length: 8.75 m / 29 ft 8 in
Height: 3.05 m / 10 ft 0 in
Wing area: 16.5 sq.m / 177.60 sq ft
Max. speed: 310 km/h / 193 mph
Ceiling: 5500 m / 18050 ft
Range: 750 km / 466 miles
Crew: 2

P3-05
Engine: Lycoming GO-435-C2A, 260 hp
Propeller: Hartzell HC-83V20-2C, 3-blade

The P-2 first flew in 1945 as a trainer for operation from high-altitude airfields, fitted with night-flying, radio and oxygen equipment.

The first 27 were built as pilot trainers while the balance of 26 were built for weapons and observer training. They were built using many parts from stocks of Bf109 components.

Gallery

P-2
Engine: 1 x Argus As 410 A-2, 347kW / 465 hp
Max take-off weight: 1970 kg / 4343 lb
Empty weight: 1520 kg / 3351 lb
Wingspan: 11 m / 36 ft 1 in
Length: 9.07 m / 30 ft 9 in
Height: 2.7 m / 9 ft 10 in
Wing area: 17 sq.m / 182.99 sq ft
Max. speed: 340 km/h / 211 mph
Cruise speed: 305 km/h / 190 mph
Range: 865 km / 538 miles
Crew: 2

First product of Pilatus Flugzeugwerke AG was a four/six-seat light transport designated Pilatus SB.2 Pelican, a braced high-wing monoplane with fixed tricycle landing gear, powered by a 336kW Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior radial engine. The pilot and co-pilot/navigator were seated in a separate compartment forward of the wing leading edge, with a main cabin below the wing which could be arranged to accommodate two to four passengers according to layout. The Pelican, which was first flown during 1944, failed to gain any commercial interest.

SB-2
Engine: 1 x Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior, 336kW
Wingspan: 15.5 m / 51 ft 10 in
Max. Speed: 250 km/h / 155 mph
Crew: 2
Passengers: 2-4

PIK has also built several low-wing single-engine monoplanes, including the PIK-15 glider tug in 1964, and the PIK-19 glider tug and two-seat trainer in 1972.

Ten of the PIK-15 Hinu (Hinauslentokone = tow a/c) single-engine, low-wing monoplane were built. Design by Kai Mellén, Ilkka Lounamaa and Jussi Rinta, the wooden aircraft were powered by a 150 hp Lycoming O-320A HO4 engine and had a 10.00 m wingspan.

PIK has also built several low-wing single-engine monoplanes, including the Pik-11 in 1953.

The PIK-11 Tumppu is a single seat, sports aircraft, capable of aerobatics. It was designed in the 1950’s by two students and members of the student flying club of the Helsinki University of Technology (PIK or Polyteknikkojen Ilmailukerho), Kai Mellén and Ilkka Lounamaa.

Four aircraft of this type were built, one of which was still in operation in 2006.

Wingspan: 8.0 m