GPC was used for training and trial flights. She had her last flight on the 3rd June 2023 after 30 years of service - reaching the maximum permitted hours for her airframe (6,750).
There is a new EASA Service Bulletin BE-064/50-3/2022 that can extend it’s life to 12,000hrs, but involves considerable inspection and replacement of some quite major parts. For now, she lives in the back of our hangar and is occasionally used for parts for our other Puchacz GEO.
The Puchacz exhibits excellent spin characteristics and is a good all-round trainer including cross-country.
