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