More record figures at Pilatus Aircraft Ltd in 2008: sales (CHF 661 million), incoming orders (CHF 988 million) and order volume at end of 2008 (CHF 1,197 million), were higher than ever. Other results were also encouraging, with a record number of PC-12 deliveries in 2008 (97). All in all, a total of 114 aircraft left the Stans work halls. And Pilatus is entirely debt-free. In spite of higher sales, operating profit (CHF 55 million) was slightly lower than in 2007 (CHF 59 million), due principally to the weak US dollar.
PC-12 sales remained buoyant. One of the big events of the year was the certification of the new PC-12 NG, which took place on 28 March 2008 in Europe and the USA. Certifications have since also been obtained in Canada, Brazil, South Africa, Australia and Russia. 15 years after the PC-12 was launched, business is still booming, mainly thanks to the new PC-12 NG: 73 of these aircraft have already been delivered to their new owners. Our Business Unit General Aviation contributed 61 percent of total Pilatus turnover in the year under review.
Government Aviation reported a good year too, with orders from the Republic of Singapore Air Force for delivery of 19 PC-21 training systems, and from the Swiss Air Force for delivery of six PC-21 training systems. The company’s Customer Support and After Sales Service team also received an order from South Africa for a new avionics system is to be installed in 35 PC-7 MkIIs. A contract for cockpit refits on a further 10 Swiss Air Force PC-7s was signed in 2008. The workshops in Altenrhein had full order books, too, particularly with the maintenance and modification of DHC-6 Twin Otters made by Canadian manufacturer, Viking Air Ltd.
The Pilatus Porter still offers certain flying characteristics which remain unmatched by any other aircraft. 3 new, and 2 second-hand, Pilatus Porter PC-6s were sold in 2008. Pilatus is now developing a modern glass cockpit for the PC-6.
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