As part of providing support and logistical sustenance to the fleet of ENAER T-35 Pillan training aircraft, the Chilean company ENAER has developed an upgrade package that includes the modernization of avionics, including the option for instrument digitalization, along with structural enhancements that will extend the aircraft’s lifespan.
Being a system operated by the Chilean Air Force, Dominican Air Force, Ecuadorian Navy, Spanish Air and Space Force, Guatemalan Air Force, National Air Service of Panama, Salvadoran Air Force, and the Paraguayan Air Force (FAP), the T-35 Pillan serves as a primary training platform, forming pilots since the 1980s.
The improvement in new technologies poses a challenge for the maintenance and operation of these aircraft. In this regard, during the coverage of FIDAE 2024, Zona Militar had an interview with the National Aeronautics Company of Chile (ENAER). Representing the company, Alberto Alfaro, its marketing manager, provided some details about the T-35 Pillan modernization project.
When asked about the project, Alberto Alfaro referred to the products presented at the fair. In this regard, he stated, “Another important part is a modified cockpit for the T-35 Pillan. Why did we develop it? Because the aircraft operated by the Air Force is from the 1980s, and many air forces are still operating it, and it has certain obsolescence issues. So, we developed this upgrade package that allows bringing the T-35 Pillan platform to a current standard, solving the obsolescence problems.”
Likewise, he added, “What is being shown here is a mock-up of a digital cockpit, and the improvement package also includes some changes in the structure that allow it to maintain its lifespan and avoid obsolescence issues in the future. Therefore, the support for the Pillan for the Air Forces that operate it will continue for many more years with these improvements that we are developing.”
When asked if this type of work is what ENAER did with the Paraguayan Air Force, he stated, “Yes, this is the type of work we do with the Paraguayan Air Force. The only difference is that the Paraguayan Air Force requested a different configuration – analog – with a Garmin GPS, which includes structural obsolescence improvements and some components of the aircraft.”
It is worth noting that in August 2023, the Paraguayan Air Force received its first T-35 Pillan B(E) modernized by ENAER. As indicated by the Chilean company, the Paraguayan Pillans received maintenance services, major repairs, modernization to the B(E) standard, and the incorporation of the Garmin GTN 650xi GPS.
*Coverage by Juan José Roldan for Zona Militar from Santiago de Chile.
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