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"