British defence contractor QinetiQ has singed a contract with Pilatus to deliver two PC-21 traing aircraft to be operated by the Empire Test Pilots School at Boscombe Down in Wiltshire.

The aircraft will be delivered with modified flight instruments to train test pilots and flight engineers.

Markus Bucher, CEO of Pilatus:

"Pilatus is pleased to be part of the programme of modernisation at QinetiQ Test Aircrew Training. Our PC-21 will provide a training platform for the next generation of test pilots worldwide. That a global leader in the test flight sector decides to replace ageing Hawks and Alpha Jets with the PC-21 is a tribute to our product's performance and flexibility."