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