Pilatus P3-05 Warbird For Sale

High Performance Pilatus P3 For Sale

Pilatus P3-05 For Sale.

Pilatus Warbird N821LT is for sale. Fly rings around the Beechcraft T-34 Mentor!

Pilatus - Swiss Design and Engineering.

How they see themselves: "There is a difference. Take a closer look at every detail. Pilatus’ heritage as the world’s premier military training aircraft producer shows through". N821LT is a Pilatus P3-05 warbird flying in the experimental category.

This warbird (A-821) was manufactured in Switzerland by Pilatus Aircraft Ltd, now in Stans, Switzerland and is made in the same precise manner as their famous watches, flown by the Schweizerische Luftwaffe (Swiss Air Force) in its previous life as A-821. Manufactured in 1958, it was originally powered by a Lycoming GO-435 of 260hp. Today this aircraft is powered by a Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A of 350 horsepower. That additional 90 ponies makes this P3 a high performance machine capable of making full horsepower to 15,000 feet. An O2 system for both pilot and co-pilot gives you capabilites of higher flight and with 71 gallons of fuel, long range. So there are the essential elements! Precision manufactured, power to get to cruise altitude with high speed, endurance to stay there, safety in the oxygen system and quality proven navigation/com units. There are no squawks, no oil leaks, many helpful practical modifications combined to make 821LT a pleasure to fly, navigate safely and is impressive in every respect. It can be yours!

Here are the equipment groups:

Engine and Prop
Engine Instruments
Panel
Navigation & Communications Equipment
Flight instruments
Fuel and Supporting
Co-Pilot Group
Sky-Ox Portable O2 System
Extra Baggage
Strakes
Other

The Early Days
A-821 (N821LT) was initially performing aerobatic training in the Swiss Air Force from 1958, has 3553 total hours since new. Its last condition inspection was March, 4, 2008 here in Houston Texas. The warbird's picture here was taken in Switzerland in its original warbird color scheme circa late 1950's.

Waiting to GO!

Today ... Ready to Serve
Tamed down? Hardly ... today "Swiss Miss" is ready to perform with 350hp.
Endurance!
At 16gph and 71 gallons of fuel, doing the math tells you 821LT will be up longer than most of us can endure. 3.75 hours with 45 minute reserves. Over 675 miles covered in comfort and having fun too. Don't forget to roll every now and then. This is a fully endowed warbird (no weapons), ready to challenge you and other similar machines like the T-34 Mentor to combat maneuvers.

Safety!
Two fresh like new parachutes if you care to wear them. You'll need these to battle the T-34!
Style!
Ex-military, it is a warbird, and where to be. But at only 20% of the cost of real fuel hogs, the P3 is built tough, long life, precision and most of all ... everybody would like to have one.
Stable flight!
N821LT P3-05 is equipped with the ventral fin that is a direct copy of the Pilatus Texan II by Raetheon giving great longitudinal stability and horizontal tail strakes for added control!

Now ... let's talk about the non-cross country capabilities of the P3.
AEROBATICS in the "DOG FIGHT"!
First, put on those like new parachutes. Now let's roll! The Pilatus P3-05 is an aerobatic warbird aircraft ... made to train for fighting ... made tough ... the plane was suitable (designed) for primary and advanced training, including night flying, aerobatics and instrument flying with 2 crew. We've all heard about the frailties of the Beech T-34 Mentor ... the ADs ... the spars. This isn't a T-34 and isn't frail! The P3 flies rings around the Beechcraft T-34. More power, faster, longer range, faster rate of climb, tight turning radius. This means heart pounding fun. NO A/Ds! But wait. The T-34 Mentor looks so cool ... not so cool when this P3 is running up its tail fins, watching the Mentor blowing out little puffs of black smoke trying to get away. The P3 is built aerobatic tough, ready to rock and roll! And friends ... the video you've just seen is the underpowered 260hp version doing these tricks. Think about 350 silky horsepower and what it does for aerobatics! Its younger brother is the PC7. According to the P3 Flyers, the P3 has "brilliant aerodynamic characteristics, that allowed a wide range of aerobatic maneuvers." And with the addition of the TIO-540-AE2A's 350hp, regains altitude quickly for that next heart pounding maneuver! No waiting! In mid-December 2007 we re-examined/tested the aerobatic capabilites. Barrel rolls, aileron rolls, Cuban 8, conventional spins are so nice. Rolls and loops are so easy and so smooth. The airplane is so well balanced. It is indeed - Swiss quality machinery.
Here are some interesting specs:

G Limits 6+ 3-
71 gallons
24 Volt Electric System
Electro Mechanical Retractable Landing Gear
Electric Flaps
Three Axis Trim
Vne 500 kmh 270 KIAS

Want to know the history of the P3? BTW ... P3 821LT is in the historic lineup you're about to see!

Pilatus P3-05 Cockpit

Pilot In Command

The pilot has all the instruments required to make every flight safe, fun and cool. Two additional vents have been added for those hot summers. The front cockpit instruments are upgraded with the JPI model EDM-700 engine monitor, Garmin 250XL GPS/Com, Blue Mountain EFIS-G4, Microair T2000 Xpndr, PS Engineering PM501 I-com, F-4 stick grip. There’s also a custom vernier mixture control made for this aircraft. Standard VSI, ASI, altimeter and manifold pressure gauge too. The original gyrosyn compasses (front and back) are in excellent operating condition. And look at the insulation that's been added for cooler operations and noise suppression ... on the other hand, who would not want to hear that 350 silky horsepower.

Co-Pilot

The rear cockpit is very similar to original equipment with Swiss/German markings. Upgrade on necessary flight instruments. Loop handle in the rear (authentic). VSI, altimeter, manifold pressure gauge … and the original excellent operating gyrosyn compass. You want to fly from the back seat? Every control is available to the co-pilot. BTW ... every instrument/indicator you see on the panel and sides are functional ... they all work as intended. Authentic warbird instruments!

STOP

We know how to GO ... and of course we know how to stop. Cleveland Wheels and Brakes slows this puppy before reaching the green stuff at the end. Just have a look at these!

Best Pilatus P3 website

You can learn a lot about the P3 and other Pilatus aircraft at P3 Owners Group. And there's other P3's for sale too. Who is responsible for this great site? Norbert Steinwedel at 704-562-3751 norb841@bellsouth.net. Now look and compare then call me, Bobby Jackson, (281) 647-6681.

Engine and Propeller - Firewall Forward

The primary component to performance is in the firewall forward compartment. Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A speaks for itself. 350 silky horsepower able to take you to cruise altitude quickly, safely, and keep you there for as long as you can stand it. Cruise at 15,000 feet for 5 hours if you can handle the duration. This P-3 can and does. Twin turbo-charged, twin intercooled consuming 16 gph at 26/2300 gives you about 190 miles per hour. 800 miles range depending on your ability to resist running the MAP up. And that's not all ... this powerplant has a grand total of 454.4 hours ... SINCE NEW!

This powerhouse will propell you at 155kts low down but at altitude ... at 10,000 feet the speed goes up to nearly 170kts getting the same miles per gallon as down low (<8,000) running 15 knots slower! The benefits of this P3 is to fly high and fast ... approaching 200 mph (170+kts) at 10,000 (30/23). 9 miles per gallon at this speed/engine is very effective and efficient! Although we've not done a full regime of tests at altitude, we expect the speed to be >200 kts at 15,000.

And of course the engine is not everything FWF.
The propeller for this firebreather is a Hartzell HC-I2YR-1BF inspected 1/2006. Total time is 805 hours with 609 SMOH. This is the same prop as on a Piper Malibu Mirage.
By the way there's a brand new (May 12, 2008) Gill battery, G-247 installed!

JPI 700 Engine Monitor
The EDM 700 monitors the critical operation results of your expensive engine. The result of operating your engine without excellent monitoring and action can translate to many dollars needlessly spent in repair or maintenance. So I purchased the monitor to ensure proper operation of this big engine and reduce or eliminate the possibility of improper tuning in flight and it works! The EDM-700 monitors;

EGT – exhaust temperatures
CHT – cylinder head temperatures
TIT – turbine inlet temperature
RPM – revolutions per minute
MAP – Manifold absolute pressure
OIL TEMP – engine oil temperature

That's not all ... not even close.
The EDM 700 calculates:

Maximum horsepower setting for high altitude departures
Rate of temperature drop on descent
Difference in CHT and EGTs

The EDM-700 identifies the optimum mixture accurately and automatically, very necessary for turbocharged engines like the TIO-540-AE2A. This engine can be economical to operate but only when you have the tools to monitor and execute the necessary steps offered by the EDM-700.

OK, so you can’t remember all the temperatures and other parameters monitored by the EDM-700 … not to worry. The EDM700 records up to 100 hours of flight data so you can download it to your personal computer for post flight examination. All engine data is "time stamped" with total engine starts, Hobbs time, day, month, year and time of day, and are permanently stored within the CPU module. Just insert the credit card size “Data Card” into the provided slot, then download to your pc for fine examination.
We could talk for hours on the benefits of this instrument but we offer you this URL so you can read it from the horse’s mouth.

JPI Instrument EDM-700 benefits!

Navigation & Communications

A panel-mount navigator, the GNC® 250XL combines the highly acclaimed GNC 250 with very high-resolution moving map graphics and communication capability. Delivering clear communication from its 5-watt (minimum), 760-channel VHF transceiver, the GNC 250XL also features front-loading data cartridges for easy Jeppesen® updating. The display LCD is as crystal clear as the COM and bright enought for daylight operations. The GNC 250XL also employs powerful 12-channel GPS receivers, making it the first VFR panel-mounted units in the marketplace to use the patented 12 parallel channel receiver. You'll know where you are and where you're going!
The package in 821LT includes:

GNC 250XL nav/comm with Jeppesen NavData® datacard
Aviation installation kit, including low-profile TSO antenna
Pilot's guide
Quick reference card
Voltage converter (24 to 12 volts)
User card

Surely one if not the most important navigation instrument in the P3 is the Garmin 250XL ... see it here ...
Garmin 250XL GPS COM.

BlueMountain EFIS G-4

Compare with systems costing 10 times more, Blue Mountain's multisensor instrument makes the perfect backup instrument. As an Electronic ADI and Flight Director it provides:

Magnetic Heading
Standard Rate turn markers
Alt setting
G-meter
Vsio
Altitude trend
Press Alt
Horizon
Wings
Est height above terrain
Pitch angle
Slip/skid ball
GPS Ground speed
Speed ribbons
IAS
ASI trend
Vx and Vy
TAS
AP Mode
Bank angle

As an Electronic HSI and Navigation Instrument indicates

Heading Bug
Next GPS waypoint
Distance
CRS to WP
Time to WP
CDI
VOR
Course Selector
GPS Lat/Long
Slaved Compass
Two Engine Gauges
Glidescope
Mode
Wind direction
Ground Track

As a bonus and to ease the hassle of planning and inflight load:

Follows WAAS GPS, Virtural VOR, External VOR, Heading Bug
GS/LOC/CDI/ILS/VOR/OBS
Worldwide Jep Database
Flight planning/optional Digital Autopilot
Mag heading, GPS Lon/Lat, Wind Speed & Direction
Terrain View with VFR and IFR charts

PS Engineering PM-501 Intercom

The PM501 provides all basic intercom capabilities plus many of the most advanced features usually only found in more expensive models. The bottom line is ... clear - crisp - easily heard and used! From the PS website; Among the best features are:

Individual output amplifiers for pilot, copilot
Voice Operated Relay (VOX) circuitry prevents mic audio from getting through the intercom until someone speaks or triggers the VOX open switch.
Automatic fail-safe interconnect to the aircraft radio wires the pilot's headset to the aircraft radio in the event of disrupted power or related failure.
Input jack giving pilots and passengers the option to listen to music during flight.
Pilot isolate mode allows the pilot to communicate without interruption during critical phases of the flight while the co-pilot listens to music or what ever makes 'em happy.
Separate pilot and copilot transmit capabilities ensures that only the person pressing the PTT will be heard over the radio.

Of course the point is the PM501 is versatile, feature packed and provides clean audio throughout all operations.

The FAA has to know where you are:

MicroAir T-2000 Transponder!

The Microair Avionics T2000SFL Transponder is a mode 3A/C aircraft transponder designed to operate in an ATCRBS environment. This unit is small ... fits in a small panel instrument hole and is packed with usable features. Features:

Mode 3 A response (4096 codes)
Mode C altitude response
SPI indent response
Encoder Altitude displayed
Altitude Alert (HI / LO)
Voltage alter (OV / UV)
Security coding of serial number
Option to power encoder only in mode C operation

Sky-Ox Portable Oxygen System

We bragged about the P3 being able to cruise at high power at 15,000 feet so now to ensure you're capable of the same the Pilatus is supplied with a Sky-Ox Portable Oxygen System Model Number 12-15, 15 cubic foot aluminum cylinder, 2000 PSI! 2 Oximizer cannulas have 13.48 hours duration at 15,000 feet, 1 mask provides 4.36 hours duration at 15,000 feet. Endurance of the P3 with its 71 gallon fuel capacity is about 4 hours so you can cruise till your bodily functions require a call for terra firma. No fear of running out of O2 on that long cross country however. Total weight for the system is only 11 pounds. It's brand new, never used. Let me demonstrate it to you!

Here are some details:

Self Contained Unit
No Installation required
Easy to Use
No FAA weight and balance change necessary
Includes Pressurized Cylinder with Oxymizer Cannulas, lines, flow indicator, quick disconnects, and spare mask.
Easy to Refill (simple & inexpensive) ... Refill with aviation-grade breathing Oxygen (MIL-027210, Type1)
Lightweight aluminum cylinder is easily fastened just to the right of the pilot slightly aft so you can see all the gauges and adjust as necessary.
Truly Portable.
Adjustable Flow Regulator set by altitude or special flow. As you change altitude, adjust the flow control valve for more or less oxygen (the upper gauge shows altitude and flow setting, the lower gauge shows remaining cylinder pressure).

Auxillary Fuel Tank

To cruise till you pop, an auxillary fuel tank has been added to expand the total usable fuel to 71 gallons. The tank is designed specifically for the P3 and holds an additional 29.2 gallons. It's filled with explosion resistant foam for safety. The design conforms to the shape of the fuselage and is mounted just aft of the co-pilot's position. This is the extra fuel that allows you to cruise at altitude for those long cross country trips you've not been able to achieve with a lesser machine. As we said earlier, this additional fuel will give the P3's range a significant boost ... about 200 miles operating at economy cruise settings. It means no more 3-4 stops from Houston to Oshkosh and only one stop to Sun 'n Fun. Cruise high, cruise fast, cruise safe with this loaded P3! By the way, in the front cockpit is a fuel quantity gauge and shut off valve! No picture of the aux fuel tank here but come to Houston IWS and we can look at it together.

Kennon Canopy Cover

Very nice canopy cover. I think this may be the first time we've used it as it's always hangared!

More Baggage Area

Yep, we've alloted more space in the battery area for some extra baggage ... not that it's going to provide another 50# of stuff mind you but nevertheless ... there's more baggage area available for your curlers.

Documentation ... Every Manual Ever Made Available

I think I have every P-3 manual ever printed. Much of it is in German but I'm sure you speak several foreign languages being you're smart enough to buy my P3! You'll enjoy having superb documentation for this aircraft ... every drawing, print, description of every part! Pilatus ... superb aircraft, precision built and now brilliant performance.

Price: $160,000 USD Ready to Fly Today

Seller / Buyer Qualifications
Every qualified buyer can get some stick time in the P3 before purchase. Kicking the tires is one thing but feeling the wind in your hair is something else all together. N821LT lives at IWS ( West Houston Airport ) in Houston, Texas and is literally ready to roll. A nice calm sunny day is preferred for obvious reasons. Am I wrong on the price? Let's talk.

How do we qualify the airplane as one you will buy?
Condition inspection is current. We’ll also:

show you results of the last condition inspection
remove the cowlings for your inspection
perform a proper compression check after a check ride (an expense is incurred)
examine oil level before and after a check ride to verify use
give you access to all documents for all equipment on the airplane
let you fine tooth comb it
ask you bring your own A&P/IA ... we'll have ours there too for extra support
what else would you like to see?

What are your expectations of the airplane that will satisfy you that the airplane is one you want to buy?

Recent Condition Inspection passed (3/8/08)
Everything works as advertised
Everything looks like it is new (as it is clean)
Clear unscratched canopy
Ease of operation for all control surfaces, flaps and trims too
Weight and Balance up to date
Flight performance as promised

What you require to commit to purchase.

Walk around reveals no squawks or flaws apparent
Flaps mechanism controls deployed (minimal movement when manually exercised)
Sliding canopy easily operates and latches / seals
All instruments are fully functional
Engine starts with ease and runs smoothly
Brakes operate left stop right stop
Mag check reveals proper drops (±75 rpm)
Mixture will cutoff engine
Mags cut off engine
Switch cut off engine
Radio check (123.05 IWS FBO)
Navigation equipment operates and locates aircraft correctly
Take off run of < 1,500 feet
Gear retraction is normal
No high temps in climb
Vne will not be demonstrated but high speed level flight of to 200 mph can be at or around 11,000'
Slow flight has no surprising attributes
Slow flight in landing config is controllable (Vso) at max gross weight. This may or may not be demonstrated depending on fuel load and passenger/pilot weight
Navigation equipment operates as advertised by manufacter
Transponder in Mod C is functional as per approach (call and confirm)
Altimeter check with approach control/transponder
Engine parameters at cruise are as stated by owner
Distant radio reception is observed (60 miles … Galveston 123.05)
Requested flight regimes
Pattern easily handled by flying characteristics
Gear deployment is normal
Landing as manufacturer specs
Rollout and parking ease
Shutdown
Deplane
Dry out your drawers.

If the airplane can be shown to deliver on the expectations outlined here and the ones you request (within reason), our expectation is that you will buy the airplane. The only remaining issue is payment. You must decide how you are going to pay for the plane. We will request 20% of agreed purchase price with cash or a cashiers check (we will cash the check) for which we will hold the plane for 7 days (that is a Saturday through the following Friday as an example.) After the check clears and at the end of that period we expect the balance in the form of a cleared check or other agreed to method. If the balance is not received by the end of the one calender week, we will refund 100% of the down payment amount to you in the form of a check (after the down payment check has cleared) unless other terms are agreed.

The Test Flight
A pre-flight payment of $350 will go to reduce the purchase price if a contract is executed. If not executed you will forfeit $150 for sharing the expense of the flight.

Are YOU Qualified?
Pilot? Current medical? Experience in type?

None of these are necessary but to fully appreciate the quality of construction, nimbleness, handling quality of this aircraft …it would be helpful if you had a yardstick from which to measure.

If you purchase the airplane you:

should confirm fuel tank sensors accuracy, dipping may be best
should confirm the EGT sensors accuracy
should confirm the CHT sensors accuracy
should confirm tachometer accuracy
should confirm oil pressure / temperature indicator is accurate
should confirm fuel pressure indicator is accurate
must sign a release form
must sign a purchase agreement
will become qualified in the aircraft type before departure or before you fly it

Pilatus P3 Flyers in Austria

Want to see more Pilatus P3's that you can imagine. From the P3 Flyers website this picture is one that reminds us of the way it used to be. The pilots flying here demonstrate the capabilities of the P3 to thousands in Europe ... here are pictures in Verbania 2007 showing a crowd how to fly in close formation precisely. Sponsored by Exxon Mobil, RUAG Aerospace, EMTC Aviation Services and Ercolani & Campana. Logon to their site and see the pictures of past performances with this fine aerobatic aircraft to fully appreciate her capabilities.

Not in Austria but Australia? Here're the P9 Aircraft Enthusiasts in New South Wales.

T-28 Access Steps

Strong steps for a T-28 Trojan that gives you access to the back seat where you may have trouble because of physical challenges. Whether you just can't make the long step, want an easier method of getting in or just the convenience of easy access. These steps conform perfectly to the left rear side of a T-28. The cool part is that each stringer is custom to the shape of the fuselage side at that FS! Steps weigh 9 pounds, easily support 260 pounds (just look as the picture demonstrates strength), stows in the aft T-28 baggage area, the area behind the access door and the entire back side is covered with 1/8 inch foam rubber to prevent scratching the paint ... nice soft and paint friendly. The sturdy access step is made entirely from riveted 2024-T3 alclad aluminum and zinc chromated. These heavy-duty steps hook into the canopy track slot and can be installed or removed in 15 seconds, including climbing up on the wing. The pictures below show how easy it is to access the back seat area and how light weight they are. Dimensions are 26'W X 34'H X 9" D. Also, it will stow in forward baggage area if the cloth liner not installed. Takes about 30 minutes to get it out and back in. You can build one yourself ... in about a week. Plans? I ain't got no stinking plans. Just great T28 steps.
Price: $730 delivered in the USA.

Contact ME

I'm Bobby Jackson. Telephone me about my Pilatus P3-05 today. 281 647 6681 or on my cell phone 713 851 5529. Email me at bobbyj5471@sbcglobal.net and I'll answer your questions as quickly as you ask them. I live at West Houston Airport (KIWS) in Houston TeXas and am ready to demonstrate the aircraft when you're ready ... on a good weather day of course. Can't find me? Call Jim Nordin at 281 550 2585. We advertise in Trade-a-Plane too.
Calm Blue Skies to Be With You.

OBTW ... We shadowed a pair of F-15s (courtesy of flight following) coming through a local MOA on the way in to Sun 'N Fun. I thought we'd keep up too as when asked our altitude and speed, I had to tell them we were at 11,000 and 196kts. WOW ... this baby performs! A little help is always welcome!
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Photo Gallery

WOW ... what a ride.

After the aileron rolls, loops, Cuban 8s and barrel rolls ... take a deep breath and enjoy.
Take off the parachutes, relax a little, remember the heart pounding events of a few minutes ago. Now we're done with the heart pounding, let's celebrate! But first ... let's go take the cowling off and get a really close look at what made all this happen. Of course there's a pretty good view of the horsepower side of this baby at the top of all these pages. Have a look.

OK ... first you unscrew this, then unlatch that, don't forget to hold that bottom cowl. Ahhhh. That's it. Have a look. We already have great pictures of the engine side of 821LT so we're going to show you the forward side of the instrument panel. It's available by removing the cover over the instrument bay. Easy too.

Above is the master brake cylinder ... Swiss made. Well made. On the right, a view of the aft fuselage and the control cables.

The far aft view inside the fuselage of the elevator control bellcrank. And on the right ... the avionics bay wiring, various fuses and supporting equipment. Look at that superb cabling! Military man ... military!

OK ... Finally something I can get my teeth into. BBQ!

Bobby ... that was a great ride!

YOU COULD BE NEXT ... Interested in your own HEART POUNDING WARBIRD? Call Bobby today! 281 647 6681, my cell phone 713 851 5529 or Jim Nordin at 281 550 2585. Blue Skies Everybody!