Smiling around the world in a PC-12

Smilingflyer, off to a great start on its fantastic round the world trip, will visit the following destinations: Crete, Egypt, Dubai/United Arab Emirates, Maldives, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, North Fork Island, Tonga, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, , Chile , Uruguay, Brazil , Fernando de Noronha Island, Cape Verde, Morocco and Spain.

Currently on route through Australia, the team had a narrow escape from Papua New Guinea having been accused of attempted kidnapping of a British Royal. A true adventure in the PC-12. www.smilingflyer.com

PC-21 moving closer to UAE deal

Embraer is believed to have been eliminated from the United Arab Emirates’ estimated 64-aircraft basic and advanced jet trainer competition, narrowing the field to designs produced by Alenia Aermacchi, Korea Aerospace Industries/Lockheed Martin and Pilatus.

RFDS new facility to house PC-12 fleet

THE Royal Flying Doctor Service has unveiled its new $3 million operational base at Port Augusta's airport. The project, funded primarily by the service with support from the Federal and State governments, enables all of the health, aviation, communications, engineering and administrative functions to be housed at one location.

The facility also consists of three hangars, providing year-round protection for the service's Port Augusta-based fleet of Pilatus PC-12 aircraft valued at $20 million.

Planesense on the move

The company is finishing construction of an 84,000-square-foot facility at Portsmouth International, the air operations side of Pease Tradeport. Flight operations have already moved into the 44,000-square-foot hangar along with the offices for maintenance, inspection and quality control. The remainder of the 40,000 square feet of office space will be home to flight operations, management and corporate offices. The move will be completed over the next two months.

"We're keeping the facility in Londonderry," Antoniadis said, "because we're already outgrowing the new building at Pease." He indicated that they have expansion options at Pease that will be considered as the company continues to grow.

The new building features design for energy savings and efficient operations. The hangar has radiant floor heating, for example, and a door that opens upward rather than the traditional sliding door.

NYSE Chairman Carter Donates $1 Million Aircraft to JAARS Inc.

New York Stock Exchange Chairman Marshall N. Carter Donates Plane to North Carolina's JAARS Inc.
JAARS Inc. of Waxhaw N.C. announced today that Marshall N. Carter and his wife Missy donated their personal Pilatus PC-6 aircraft to JAARS for its humanitarian purposes. Mr. Carter is chairman of the New York Stock Exchange and chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Boston Medical Center.

The Swiss aircraft received today by JAARS, a nonprofit organization devoted to serving minority language communities worldwide, is valued at $1.0 million.

JAARS President Jim Akovenko said, "We are very grateful for this timely gift from Mr. and Mrs. Carter. The aircraft is a perfect match for the very short runways that are common in the field of operations. This aircraft will complement the current fleet and will be pressed into service immediately upon arrival."

Dexter growing strong

Dexter is barely keeping pace with strong demand fuelled by the country's economic growth," they currently cite a 20% month-on-month growth in revenue sales and cabin loads averaging 75-80%. They believe it would be possible to develop faster had there been greater capacity available.

In the near future Dexter is scheduled to receive a second Pilatus PC-12 single-engined turboprop, and three more next year. Overall, Dexter has ordered 25 of the type and 45 Russian-built Myasichev M101T turbine singles, of which eight have already entered service.

Turbo Props gaining ground

With jet fuel prices in the $3-a-gallon range, the fuel efficiency of turboprops is boosting sales and the total number of shipments was up 14.5 percent in the first nine months of 2007 over 2006. A total of 293 general aviation turboprops were delivered in the period compared to 256 in the same time last year, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) third quarter report “…we expect shipments to continue on a strong, upward trend in the months ahead,” said GAMA President Pete Bunce.

Dexter on track in Russia

Dexter targets PC-12 air taxis at officials, the 'middle class' and foreigners. Russian corporations and charter operators are queuing up to acquire western short haul aircraft as the private sector battles to revive business aviation. VLJs and turboprops are being targeted at a hungry corporate and charter market.

Aero Management Group (Dexter) based in Moscow plans a wide range of air taxi flights to southern Russian cities after placing an order for ten PC-12s.

Bjarne Jorsal, md of Air Alpha Aircraft Sales, which is building sales after gaining certification in Russia for the PC-12, says: "We expect to deliver five PC-12s to Dexter this year and five in 2008. The aircraft will be supported from a new service centre in Russia."

Dexter has identified a need for services including flights from Rostov to Sochi, Maikop, Volgograd, Astrakhan, Donetsk, Voronezh, Anapa, and also from Sochi to Krasnodar. Dexter md Evgeny Andrachnikov says the PC-12 was chosen after a wide-ranging study of what was available.

Article by 'Aviation Consumer'

When contemplating a Pilatus PC-12, you can’t help but think of someone who went out to buy an all-terrain vehicle and came home with a luxury, all-wheel--drive motorhome that could go off-road. You have to look past the BMW-designed interior to discover that the Swiss-made turboprop was originally created for use in the Third World. It was thus conceived to be a utilitarian vehicle that was tough and capable enough to operate from short, dirt runways, could tanker lots of fuel because availability might be questionable and still carry on if something broke out in the bush. …

http://www.aviationconsumer.com/issues/37_11/aircraftreview/5721-1.html

USAF issue RFP for PC-12 pilot training

The 1st Special Operations Contracting Squadron intends to award a Sole Source purchase order to SIMCOM International Inc. Hurlburt Field intends to purchase Pilot Training, both classroom training and simulator training, Initial Training and Refresher Training for the Pilatus PC-12. This solicitation is under North American Industry Classification System Code 611512, with a size standard of $23.5M. Place of performance shall be at the 319th , on Hurlburt Field FL 32544.

Federal Information & News Dispatch, Inc.

Honeywell Apex podcast

Follow this link for the recent Pod cast by AIN with Peter Duncan.

http://www.avweb.com/podcast/files/2007-11-00_AvCons.mp3

ADS-B for Aussie PC-12's

The Western Operations division of Australia's Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) expects to have 11 aircraft equipped for automatic dependent surveillance - broadcast (ADS-B) within six months. Avionics for six of the aircraft have been donated to the RFDS by Airservices Australia, which is already deploying ADS-B in the upper airspace of the country and is seeking industry support to extend the programme below 30,000ft (9,150m) to replace its ageing radar and navaid infrastructure.

The RFDS is split into four operating divisions - Western Operations, Central Operations, South East Section and Queensland Section, with the 11 aircraft - six Pilatus PC-12s and five Beechcraft King Air 200s -flown by the RFDS's Western Operations division.

BAe HAWK out of running for AJT

BAe have been eliminated from the running to supply the Advanced Jet Trainer to UAE. The Hawk's rejection comes at an embarrassing time for the company, which will have a large presence at the Dubai show.

The UAE has also assessed the Alenia Aermacchi M-311, Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano and Pilatus PC-21 for its basic training requirements, but UK Ministry of Defence sources had recently suggested that a selection was not likely to take place until early 2008.

Flight Global 30 Oct 2007

Pilatus wins prestigous award

West Trax has launched a certification and award programme that provides a consistent set of metrics and standards against which SAP production system optimisation and alignment levels can be readily evaluated and compared. Based on pre-defined Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) certification attests to the effective and efficient use of an organisation's SAP production systems and quantifies the superior optimisation levels achieved within the Client's industry.

In recognition of the certification levels achieved, Silver and Bronze West Trax Quality Awards have been presented to well known Enterprises in the Automotive, Finance, Retail and Manufacturing sectors.

The first award winners are: -

Modine Europe GmbH (Silver)

Munchener Hypothekenbank eG (Silver)

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Silver)

MEWA Textil-Service AG & Co. Management OHG (Bronze)

Pat Epps receives prestigious 'Doswell Award'

The National Business Aviation Association could hardly have picked a more deserving recipient for this year’s Doswell Award than Georgia resident E. Patrick “Pat” Epps, president of Epps Aviation, especially with the convention being held in Atlanta this year as Georgia celebrates its 100th anniversary of powered flight. Named for John P. “Jack” Doswell, the award recognizes lifelong individual achievement on behalf and in support of the aims, goals and objectives of business aviation.

Epps’ connection to aviation goes back well before he was even born. His father, aviation pioneer Ben Epps, was the first person to fly an airplane in the state of Georgia (a canard craft of his own design) in 1907. An electrical contractor in Athens, he liked “tinkering with airplanes,” in the words of his granddaughter, Elaine Persons. He had eight airplane designs and sold airplanes. The airport in Athens is named for him.

Pat, the youngest son, was only three when his father was killed in an airplane crash in 1937. All his brothers and sisters except one learned to fly, and today, two daughters, Persons and Marian Epps, and a son, Pat Jr., work at Epps Aviation at Atlanta DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK), where the company has been based for 42 years. Pat’s wife Anne is vice president. Persons handles marketing and employee benefits, Marian is CFO and Pat Jr. is involved with Pilatus PC-12 sales and service. Persons’s husband Gus is maintenance administrator.

Press release - Next Generation PC-12 in high demand

Pilatus is experiencing unprecedented demand for the Next Generation PC-12. The high performance single-engine turboprop is making its public debut at the 2007 National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention in Atlanta, Georgia.

“When the Next Generation PC-12 was announced at NBAA last year, it immediately became a sensation,” said Thomas Bosshard, CEO of Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. “Even before we had released many details about the aircraft, orders began to pour in. Now that people are seeing it in person for the first time, the excitement is tremendous.”

Pilatus sells most of its PC-12s through a worldwide network of Pilatus Sales Centers, who then retail them to individual customers. Many Pilatus Sales Centers are already sold out of Next Generation PC-12s through the end of 2009.

Strong sales have been a hallmark of the PC-12 program. According to statistics from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, the PC-12 has been the number one selling turbine-powered business aircraft for the last four years. The PC-12’s reputation for quality, a broad performance envelope, and award-winning product support have helped fuel its success.

The Next Generation PC-12 features a number of improvements, including a fully integrated Honeywell Primus Apex avionics system, a new cockpit designed by BMW Designworks USA, and a more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A engine.

Customs & Border Patrol

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officially opened the North Dakota Air Branch at Grand Forks International Airport on Sep 22, 2007. As part of a northern border security strategy, this is the forth of five planned new facilities to augment CBPs northern border capabilities with air and marine law enforcement, surveillance and airspace security.

At full capacity, the Air Branch will consist of up to 50 air interdiction agents (pilots), air enforcement agents and mission support personnel. Amongst the Air Branch assets a Pilatus PC-12 Spectre surveillance and tracking aircraft, and Predator B unmanned aircraft systems providing high altitude detection and surveillance support capabilities. The Air Branch will support border security operations and conduct regular mission patrols

Royal Flying Doctors Service

The Alice Springs Royal Flying Doctor Service has been upgraded for the first time in 12 years. A new AUS$5.2 million Swiss-made Pilatus PC-12 aircraft will be operational in March next year. RFDS Central Operations chief executive officer John Lynch said the addition of the Pilatus would take the total number of planes in Alice Springs to four.

In 2006/07, RFDS made more than 9600 patient contacts.

Mr Lynch said: ``This is an important development and reflects the increasing hours we have been flying in recent years in Central Australia, which has incorporated a growth in transfers of patients from Alice Springs to Adelaide.

``The aircraft will be flown from Switzerland in January next year and it will be fully equipped when it comes online for Alice Springs by March.

``In an overall sense, we will be looking at our total operation in Alice Springs and this will also need to incorporate a review of our hangar facilities.

Mr Lynch said that while the RFDS' existing facilities work well, the addition of another aircraft would necessitate some possible enhancements to infrastructure.

He said: `` It's certainly an exciting period of transition.

Air Alpha to service PC-12's in Russia

The Federal Service for Supervision of Transportation has licensed the Danish AIR ALPHA MAINTENANCE A/S company to service aircraft in Russia.

The Danish company will provide line and scheduled maintenance to Swiss-made Pilatus PC-12 Series aircraft. A service centre for Pilatus aircraft is about to open.

Smiling Flyer about to launch

We are a group of entrepreneurs living in Mallorca. One day we decided to take a single engine Pilatus PC-12 and travel around the world. Captain Morten Sondergaard started the planing and “The Smiling Flyer” was born.

This trip is about men, who have built their professional lives taking risk and are seeing this trip as a natural way of having fun. People have asked us why we are doing the “SmilingFlyer” and the simple answer is: “Because it can be done”.

We will be taking off from Mallorca in Spain on November 3rd 2007 and visiting the following places: Egypt – Alexandria, Dubai, New Delhi, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Australia, Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, French Polynesia, Easter Island, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Cape Verde, Morocco, Spain.

We plan to be back in Mallorca, Spain 21st of Februay 2008 having completed more than 60.000 km through some of the most remote areas of the world

http://www.smilingflyer.com

PT6A-67P receives certification

Pratt & Whitney Canada has received type certification from Transport Canada for its PT6A-67P engine, selected to power the next-generation Pilatus PC-12 business turboprop aircraft

A derivative of the popular PT6 family, the PT6A-67P is rated at 1,200 shp (1,824 thermal eshp). It delivers 15 per cent more thermodynamic power to the new PC-12 aircraft for faster climbs and higher cruise speeds.

"We are delighted to work with our long-time customer Pilatus to build on the success of its flagship PC-12 business turboprop with our PT6A-67P engine," said Michael Perodeau, Vice President, Corporate Aviation, P&WC. "The PT6A series continues to lead today as a result of the improvements we inject into these highly dependable engines as well as our excellent customer support."

P&WC has certified close to 70 engine models within the PT6A turboprop series and produced over 35,000 PT6A engines for applications in corporate, utility and agricultural markets around the world. The majority of these engines continue to fly today.

NBAA 07 in numbers

National Business Aviation Association’s 60th annual Meeting and Convention last week in Atlanta, Ga. attracted more than 32,000 visitors, down slightly from the 33,088 at the 2006 show in Orlando, Fla. The convention sold 5,200 booth spaces to a record 1,152 exhibitors. The static display at Fulton County Airport drew 115 aircraft.

Launch of NEXT GEN PC-12 huge success

From the opening bell the Pilatus booth at NBAA 07 saw non-stop traffic. Although the show was indeed the busiest and biggest NBAA on record, it is clear the NEXT GEN PC-12 was one of the highlights at the show. A constant flow of traffic through the booth and indeed the aircraft generated huge interest in the updated PC-12.

Press release - Fast4ward Sweepstakes

The demand for the Next Generation PC-12 is higher than ever, but you may not have to wait to fly in one. Pilatus will hold the “Fast4ward Sweepstakes” at the 2007 National Business Aircraft Association (NBAA) convention in Atlanta, Georgia. Participants at the convention will have the chance to win the use of a Next Generation PC-12 for up to 4 days in 2008.

As the latest version of the continually evolving PC-12, the Next Generation PC-12 features a number of improvements. These include a fully integrated Honeywell Primus Apex avionics system, a new cockpit designed by BMW Group DesignworksUSA, and a more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A engine.

The lucky winner will be given up to 15 hours flight time in a factory new Next Generation PC-12 and be flown to destinations of choice anywhere in the continental United States. The prize includes a Pilatus factory demonstration pilot during all four days and covers operating expenses such as fuel and airport handling fees.

To enter, participants simply fill out an entry form or drop a business card at the Pilatus booth (#757) during the 2007 NBAA convention. Due to the exclusive nature of this contest, the odds of winning are very high. See the contest details for rules and restrictions. The drawing will be held on the show floor on Wednesday, September 26 at 3:00 pm.

PC-12 at Moscow Zhukovsky Airport

Dexters PC-12 sitting on the ramp at Moscows Zhukovsky Airport, Russia. At the beginning of 2008 Dexter air taxi will launch flights to a number of southern Russian cities. Air Management Group, organizer of the air taxi project, says that the company is now purchasing several Swiss planes Pilatus PC-12.

Photo courtesy of Max Bryansky - Russian AviaPhoto Team

De Beers fund PC-12 medi vac conversion

Diamond miner De Beers has teamed up with ExecuJet and the National Lottery Board in South Africa to fund the expansion of the SA Red Cross Air Mercy Service (AMS) hangar and fleet.The three companies funded the extension and building of a larger hangar at the Kimberley Airport for flying doctor operations, with donations totaling R3.392 Million ($468,000) and De Beers’ funding also enabled the medical conversion of the AMS Pilatus PC-12 aircraft by installing a specialist MedPac Medical Interior, better equipping the medical staff to attend to ill and injured patients.

Single engine gains wider acceptance

With the age of the single engine light jet upon us it is clear that one engine is finally gaining wider acceptance. Public perceptions are changing due to reliability and highly effective operating costs. As oil flirts with 75 dollars a barrel there is little doubt that the single engine will become even more widely acceptable. Aircraft like the PC-12 with its supremely reliable PT6 will gain more ground with an audience that has a strong appetite for performance and efficiency.

MK Aug 28, 07

FLYING magazine turboprop report

The PC-12 offers a very comfortable cabin but with its single engine and very long range gives the owner pilot what he wants. It offers more loading flexibility than any typical passenger turboprop.

These remarkable characteristics show up in used prices with the Aircraft Bluebook price digest reporting that a five year old PC-12 sells for $3million, almost exactly what the list price was in 2002.

NAC AIR - Stretching its wings

NAC Air LP is pushing forward.

Since December 2006, the company has acquired five new Pilatus PC-12 planes, each with the capacity for nine passengers. This brings the fleet to 13 aircraft, including a mix of Pilatus and equal-capacity, executive-style King Air planes.

The new aircraft allow NAC Air to accommodate the 10 Manitoba destinations the company has added to its service list since November. It is now serving 27 communities. The new planes have also propelled a growing demand for the company’s charter flights, which have increased by 100 per cent since adding the extra flight capacity.

Aug 21,07 Northern Ontario

PC-12 with FLIR used in search operation

Ontario Provincial Police officers have been in the area since Monday (August 6th) searching for a missing camper . The OPP Pilatus PC-12 aircraft was also utilized this morning (August 10th), flying over the area in the early morning hours with the FLIR (forward looking infra-red) camera.

PC-12 going online for Indian charter operator

Mega Corporation Ltd of India expects to start their charter service by August 16, 2007 using a PC-12. Speaking on the development, Mr. Kunal Lalani, CMD, of the Company, "The demand for air charter far exceeds the current supply." He added 'looking at the potential of charter services Air Mega is already planning to expand its fleet of aircraft, to support the booming economy and infrastructure'.

AIN Product support award

Pilatus once again scores top marks with the 2007 AIN Product Support Survey. Quoting AIN 'Capt H.Jankovich said of his companys aircraft, The PC-12 is a quality aircraft. Our Pilatus has been near faultless in three years, both aircraft and accessories'.
Pilatus has won this award 4 times.

Aviation International News - Aug 07

Pro Pilot customer service award

Pilatus continues to dominate quality of customer care with the 2007 Professional Pilot turboprop product support award. Professional Pilot comments - 'Keeping the top honors for 6 consecutive years is no easy task. In reviewing the scores and comments from PC-12 operators, it was hard to find even a tepid comment. Pilatus is hot on service! The overall satisfaction score of 8.25 for 2007 was better than Gulfstream's 8.06"

Superior Transportation Associates Expanding

Air Carrier Superior Transportation Associates, Inc. (http://www.stajets.com) announced today the opening of their new jet center at the French Valley airport in Murrieta, CA. According to Brian Fiske, President of STA Jets, "We are very pleased to provide our clients a state-of-the-art executive terminal that includes 15,000 sq. ft. of hangar and additional office space to meet the growing needs of the company." STA Jets currently operates a fleet of Lear jets, Raytheon Premier, Pilatus PC-12 and King Air 200 aircraft based at French Valley and available to the general public for charter.

Murrieta, CA (PRWEB) July 23, 07

Atlas Pilatus Center Wins FAA's Diamond Award

Atlas Pilatus Center, Manchester, New Hampshire has been recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for excellence in maintenance training with the presentation of the 2006 Diamond Award. 'In recent years, Atlas Pilatus Center has greatly expanded its operations, to the point that it now services some 68 Pilatus PC-12s.'

In addition, Smith points out that Atlas is solely responsible for maintaining a growing fleet of 28 PC-12s which are operated by Alpha Flying for its popular PlaneSense aircraft fractional ownership program. Says Smith, “It is the world’s largest civil fleet of PC-12s, which has logged over 75,000 flight hours.Smith notes that Atlas Pilatus Center will relocate to a new 84,000 sq ft facility in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. “The investment is a strong testimonial to our continued growth, especially in the past few years and, most important, our commitment to flight safety and our loyal customers.”

heliumreport.com - 20th Jul 07

Banyan Air Service Performs Its First PC-12 Demate

Company Plans More Training For Upcoming /47E Model Aero-News learned this week the turbine maintenance department at Banyan Air Service recently performed their first 10 year Pilatus demate.

The project required extensive special tooling and custom fabrication of wing shoring. Banyan's Curtis Florio, Hartley Starratt and Misael Rodriguez fabricated the necessary shoring and performed the work under the direction of crew leader, Dan Day.
"This was an easy job, partially because a lot of thought went into the design of the aircraft and because of the support we received from Pilatus Field Service Engineer, Mark Frank," said Florio (shown above).
Florio is Banyan's expert with Pilatus aircraft and recently attended the 2007 annual Pilatus Support Meeting in Vail, CO. The two-day meeting covered technical issues with the PC12 aircraft, as well as information on upcoming PC-12/47E, which is currently on the production line.

Aero-News Network - 18th Jul 07

Pilatus Celebrates 100th PC-12 Sold By Denver Dealer

Aviation Sales, Inc. Celebrates 'Centennial' Delivery
Aero-News learned Monday that Aviation Sales, Inc. celebrated the delivery of their 100th PC-12 aircraft. The milestone aircraft was delivered July 2 to a corporate owner to replace an older PC-12 purchased from Aviation Sales. Their 100th PC-12 delivery brings the worldwide fleet of PC-12 business aircraft to well over 700 aircraft.

“Aviation Sales has been an outstanding partner to Pilatus since the beginning of the PC-12 program”, said Thomas Hunziker, President and CEO of Pilatus Business Aircraft, Ltd. “They have first-class dedication to customer service, a wealth of PC-12 knowledge to share, and best of all, they are just great people to work with. Our family wouldn’t be the same without them, and we look forward to many more years of success together.”

With the Next Generation PC-12’s revolutionary cockpit technology coming to market next year, the future for everyone involved with Pilatus looks brighter than ever.”

Aero News.net 02 July 07

Glacier Girl still cant make it to England

Some 65 years ago P-38 Lightning 'Glacier Girl' was on her way to England to participate in the dark days of World War II.

On July 15th 1942 Serial Number 4176390 put down on the frozen wasteland of Eastern Greenland. There she lay until 1992 when her remains were finally extracted from 260 feet below the frozen tundra.

The owner of 'Glacier Girl' Rodney R. "Rod" Lewis vowed to complete the original 5000 mile mission and in doing so finally put closure to this rather unusual chapter of World War II. In fact Several P-38's and B-17's put down on the ice due to severe weather and low fuel.

During the proposed week long expedition, Lewis flew the lead plane in the formation- a Pilatus PC-12. However once again faith had other ideas for the old girl and she once again had to abandon her journey. This time the culprit was simple engine coolant shortly after leaving Goose Bay, Labrador for Greenland. Fortunately she did made it back to Goose Bay intact. Rumor has it they will attempt the trip again next Summer.

M Kenny

Electro-optical infrared systems (PC-12 Spectre)

Electro-optical infrared systems are playing a vital role in surveillance and counter-insurgence. Specialist FLIR is demonstrating its latest Star Safire system at Paris. Phil Nasskau sees it in operation.
You might be standing at the end of the runway watching the Pilatus PC-12 coming in to land. What you don’t know is that it’s watching you too.

FLIR Government Systems is demonstrating its Star Safire HD electro-optical infrared (EO/IR) system, an all-digital high-definition vision system on its PC-12 demonstator. Customers will have the chance to see the system live in action – but if you’re not American you can’t see the real performance of the system.

It broadcasts in raw HD and gives clear images. “We’re limited as to how much of the system’s performance we can show because of export licensing,” says product manager Robert Kubis. “But even at 18km you can see the Eiffel Tower in clear HD and automatically track it.”

On FLIR’s PC-12 it uses Pilatus’ Spectre mount and actually retracts into the fuselage for stowage. It can be equipped to feature thermal IR imaging, night vision, multiple fields-of-view, image intensifier, laser rangefinder, laser pointer, laser illuminator, colour high-definition camera and low-light high-definition camera.

Flight Global Jun 19, 07

Business Aircraft Find Growing Usage

" NASA uses Gulfstream IIs as flying Shuttle landing simulators, while Germany employs a G550 to study global warming. Pakistan's Sindh provincial government's Learjet 45XR and Macedonia's Lear 60 are VIP transports. The U.S. Defense Dept. contracted with Cessna to build and modify a quintet of OT-47Bs Citation Ultras -- equipped with Westinghouse An/APG-66 target acquisition radars and other sensors and imaging equipment -- for covert tracking missions. Last March Hawker Beechcraft received an order for six King Air 350s to be operated by the Iraq air force for intelligence gathering and reconnaissance. The Carabinieri, Italy's state police, transport personnel on board a P-180 Avanti, as do their transatlantic counterparts, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; the Mounties' diverse 43-aircraft fleet also includes 13 Pilatus PC-12s. "

While difficult to determine the number of business, utility and regional aircraft engaged in such activities, the sum totals are in the hundreds.

By William Garvey/Aviationweek.com Jun 14, 2007

ASD survey of the aerospace and defence industry

At the presentation, ASD president Charles Edelstenne - chief executive of Dassault Aviation - highlighted the strength of the European aeronautics sector. Fuel efficient turboprops - with Franco-Italian venture ATR flying the flag for Europe - have done well thanks to the high oil price. Business and general aviation - represented by Dassault, as well as smaller manufacturers such as Diamond, EADS Socata, Grob, Piaggio and Pilatus - is "riding high on a wave of enthusiasm that shows no sign of diminishing in 2007", he says.

Flight Global 06th Jun 07

Dexter expansion hits capacity snag (Russian Air Taxi)

Squeezed by the lack of domestically produced aircraft, Russian air-taxi operator Dexter has turned to Swiss manufacturer Pilatus to supply 25 PC-12 single-engined turboprops by 2011.
The Moscow-based company expects to receive three aircraft this year and five in 2008.

"This substantiates our estimate of market potential of up to 1 million passengers a year," he adds. "To carry out regular flights on a large scale, we need to have at least 100 aircraft."

"Fulfilling them is taking priority over our order," says Andrachnikov, who does not rule out that Dexter could cancel its contract with Sokol and rely wholly on Pilatus as a supplier of much-needed aircraft. To operate the first batch of PC-12s, the carrier has already provided training for 10 pilots and seven technicians.

Flight Global, By Tom Zaitsev 06th Jun 07

Next Generation PC-12 Picks Up The Pace

'However, there are plenty of great aircraft built in Europe and one of the leaders comes from Swiss manufacturer Pilatus, which has just delivered its 700th PC-12 single-engine turboprop aircraft to David Fountain, a private investor from Halifax, Nova Scotia. The PC-12 is the world's top-selling turbine business aircraft, and its next incarnation recently flew to the U.S. for flight tests. The airplane stopped en route at Iqaluit, Canada, for a series of cold weather trials, before arriving at the company's North American headquarters in Broomfield, Colo. The aircraft performed well and completed its cold weather testing a day early. The next generation PC-12 should be certified by the end of the year and will feature fully integrated Honeywell Primus Apex avionics, a new BMW Designworks cockpit, and a P&WC PT6A engine.'

By Liz Moscrop for avweb.com May 23rd, 2007

Apex for PC-12 on track

Honeywell announced this morning that development of its Primus Apex integrated avionics system for Pilatus PC-12s is on track for certification in 2007.

The Honeywell flight-test programme has accrued more than 72h of flight test on 35 test flights and has already resulted in successful flight control and systems development. The programme is progressing towards Part 23 certifications.

“Primus Apex offers Pilatus the most advanced autoflight, navigation and situation awareness capabilities and is ideal for PC-12 operators looking for a new cockpit alternative,” Todd said. “The digital technology, ultra-high resolution displays, and fully automated controls assure the pilot easier flight deck operation and improved aircraft safety.”

Flight Global 23rd May 07

Things are looking up for singles

The single-engine turboprop sector is thriving. Dire predictions of a downturn because of very light jets have proved unfounded as an array of cost-conscious operators faced with rising fuel prices flock in increasing numbers to buy these distinctive aircraft.
"Demand is huge," says Fred Muggli, head of marketing at Pilatus Aircraft, manufacturer of the $2.9 million PC-12. "We are not losing ground to the VLJ." The Stans, Switzerland-based company has delivered more than 700 of the nine-seat aircraft to date and "production is sold out until 2010", Muggli says, with most orders coming for the $3.6 million executive-configured aircraft. "We will deliver 90 aircraft this year and ramp up to 105 next year when the Next Generation PC-12 will have entered service." The upgraded model, scheduled for certification at the end of the year, features a Honeywell Primus Apex avionics system, a new cockpit designed by BMW Designworks USA, and a more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67P engine.

Flight Global, By Kate Sarsfield 15th May 07

EBACE News Roundup…

'JetFly, the Luxembourg-based fractional operator, had a busy show, ordering four Socata TBM 850s, four Piaggio Avanti IIs and–immediately before the show–six Pilatus PC-12s…'

Alpha Flying Expands PC-12 Bases

As new Cirrus-based air taxis (SatsAir and ImagineAir, to name two) and Eclipse-based air taxi hopeful DayJet populate the Southeast, Alpha Flying – better known under its fractional program name PlaneSense -- is stretching its wings to the south. The 11-year-old fractional and largest operator of the Pilatus PC-12 is expanding. It currently operates 28 tried and true (and top-selling turbine) Pilatus PC-12s and manages the virtual palindrome of 82 pilots who fly them from one single pilot base in Manchester, N.H.. That base will move in the fall to an 84,000-sq-ft facility in Portsmouth, N.H., with the addition of two new bases -- one at Atlanta Peachtree/DeKalb and another at Fort Lauderdale Executive. Last year, Alpha Flying added 35 pilots, 12 mechanics and 12 schedulers. Growth is expected to continue, supplemented by its new Southeastern haunts. The company serves the U.S. east of the Mississippi, as well as Canada and the Bahamas, and is accepting resumes for pilots.

AVweb – 02 May 2007

Business Jet Shipments Strong in 1Q – Pilatus and Beechcraft Most Improved

Business jet shipments worldwide increased 12 percent in the first quarter of this year over the same period last year, according to a report released Friday by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). The association said that the industry delivered 211 aircraft between January 1 and March 31, compared with 188 in the same period last year. Turboprop deliveries were also up, from 59 in the first quarter of last year to 77 this year. Total aircraft shipments worldwide, however, were down slightly, to 842, due to a weak piston segment compared with 847 in the same period last year. Total billings were strong, though, up 11.3 percent to $4.5 billion. Cessna was the overall leader in the first quarter, delivering 81 turbine aircraft. Hawker Beechcraft (formerly Raytheon) and Bombardier were second and third, with 60 and 56 deliveries, respectively. Hawker Beechcraft and Pilatus were the most improved; the former shipped almost 40 percent more aircraft, while the latter shipped 81 percent more PC-12s.

AINalerts – 01 May 2007

NextGen-Version On Tap For Later This Year

Aero-News learned this week Pilatus Aircraft recently celebrated the delivery of its 700th PC-12 turboprop.
In a celebration marked at V. Kelner Pilatus Center in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, PC-12 owner David Fountain accepted the keys to his new aircraft from Robert Arnone, President and CEO, and Steve Davey, Vice President of V. Kelner Pilatus Center.
Fountain knows the PC-12 very well, having been the proud owner of one since April 2001. A private investor by trade, he plans to fly his new PC-12 himself out of Halifax, Nova Scotia, as he has done with his previous aircraft for the past six years.
“The Pilatus PC-12 is an exceptional personal aircraft," Fountain said. "With its speed, range, comfort and reliability it has no rivals in its class. I have had a great deal of pleasure flying my first one throughout North America and I look forward to many exciting trips in my second PC-12.”
“The greatest advocates of the PC-12 are often those who know the aircraft best -- its current owners and pilots," said Thomas Hunziker, President and CEO of Pilatus Business Aircraft, Ltd. "Each year, many existing PC-12 owners become repeat customers because of the PC-12’s proven performance. And also, no doubt, because it is a lot of fun to fly!”
It is Fountain's second PC-12... and the company tells ANN he has already committed to purchasing a third.
The PC-12 has been the top selling turbine-powered business aircraft for the past four years in a row. Pilatus celebrated the delivery of the 600th PC-12 just over one year ago. As ANN has reported, Pilatus plans to introduce the Next Generation PC-12 later this year.

aero-news.net 19th Apr 07

ExecuJet grows fleet with PC-12

ExecuJet South Africa has added another Swiss-built Pilatus PC-12 to its growing fleet of either owned or managed aircraft. This brings ExecuJet's fleet of PC-12s to six and its total number of aircraft to 18, writes Hilka Birns.
Denis Crossley, ExecuJet's flight operations director, says the charter company's fleet ranging from turboprops to intercontinental jets meets the demands of most flight missions. "With yet another PC-12, we can offer a wider range of travel options. This is the aircraft of choice for Africa's many unprepared airfields," he says.
ExecuJet also has two Beechcraft King Air 200s, a Bombardier Global Express, Challenger 604, Challenger 601, four Learjet 45s, a 31A, a Cessna Citation V and a Caravan.

Flight Global 17th Apr 07

PC-12 Top Seller for fourth consecutive Year

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) announced that shipments of every type of general aviation airplane increased in 2006. These strong numbers have led to another record high in industry billings, and the Pilatus PC-12 remains the top selling single model of turbine-powered business aircraft for the fourth consecutive year.

The PC-12 is in its 14th year of production and it is now being produced at the highest rate to date. 90 PC-12s were delivered worldwide in 2006.

2006 Top Selling Turbine Business Aircraft
Model
2006 Sales

1. Pilatus PC-12
- 90
2. Citation XLS
- 73
3. Citation CJ3
- 72
4. Grand Caravan
- 59
5. Sovereign
- 57
Source: GAMA

Customers cite the PC-12’s combination of speed, large pressurized cabin, short field performance, and oversized cargo door along with the favorable economics of a single-engine turboprop as the reasons behind its popularity.

“People recognize that the PC-12’s size and performance, its efficiency, quality and high value retention make it the best value on the market today”, said Thomas Bosshard, CEO of Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. “Looking forward, we are confident that the Next Generation PC-12, which is slated for certification at the end of 2007, will further strengthen those traditions.”

The Next Generation PC-12 features a number of improvements, including a fully integrated Honeywell Primus Apex avionics system, a new cockpit designed by BMW Group DesignworksUSA, and a more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A engine.

04th Apr 07

Stops In Iqaluit To Chill Out A Bit

While making its first transatlantic journey from Switzerland, the prototype Next Generation PC-12 stopped at Iqaluit, Canada for a series of cold weather trials, before arriving at Pilatus' North American headquarters in Broomfield, CO.

"The entire transatlantic flight was great. All systems operated perfectly and the aircraft completed its cold weather testing a day early. During the cold weather trials in Canada, the new systems performed exceptionally well and without any problems. The new avionics and the displays in particular exceeded all our expectations while experiencing extreme cold temperatures down to temperatures of -10 oF and less", said Ulli Gehling, Director Program Management.
Iqaluit, the regional capital of the Canadian Inuit province of Nunavut, is a popular cold-weather test location for many aircraft manufacturers, due to its extremely low temperatures, an 8,600 foot runway and lack of airspace restrictions. The airport was operated by the US Air Force until 1963, and today is the regional airport.
Pilatus officials tell ANN the cold weather trials demonstrated the new systems behavior under extreme cold temperatures. The tests evaluated the performance of the electrical system, battery power for engine start up, avionics system start up, and displays, and verified their operation throughout the entire environmental envelope.
Slated for certification at the end of 2007, the Next Generation PC-12 features a number of improvements -- including a fully integrated Honeywell Primus Apex avionics system, a new cockpit designed by BMW Group DesignworksUSA, and a more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A engine. Pilatus reports the certification program remains on track.

aero-news-net Sat, 10 Mar '07

Pilatus Business Aircraft Earns ODAR Approval From FAA

Approval to Conduct In-House Airworthiness Inspections & Approvals
Aero-News learned this week Pilatus Business Aircraft, Ltd., the US subsidiary of Pilatus Aircraft Ltd in Switzerland, earned FAA recognition as an Organizational Designated Airworthiness Representative (ODAR) to support its PC-12 program.

"The FAA's designation of Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd. as an ODAR is a strong testament to our excellent quality and the high expertise of our team," said Patrick Wiesner, Vice President Production.
The ODAR designation authorizes Pilatus Business Aircraft, Ltd. to determine the conformity of the inspection, certification and issuance of the recurrent Standard Airworthiness Certification for US registered and non-US manufactured aircraft; to include airworthiness of the Pilatus aircraft, engines and their parts on behalf of the FAA.
"This achievement increases the flexibility and efficiency of our organization allowing Pilatus to continue to meet goals and customer expectations of quality," says Thomas Hunziker, President and CEO of Pilatus Business Aircraft, Ltd.
Pilatus performs avionics modifications and completions of the PC-12 at the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield, CO. Representatives with the company state the ODAR designation will allow Pilatus Business Aircraft, Ltd. to continue to maintain the highest level of quality standards for which the Swiss-based company is well-known.

Established in 1939, Pilatus Aircraft Ltd is the world's leading manufacturer of single-engine turboprop aircraft. Pilatus Aircraft Ltd is a privately held company employing over 1,300 people. Pilatus provides aircraft and aviation services worldwide for the general aviation, commercial, training, utility, and special mission markets.

aero-news.net Fri, 09 Mar '07