Pro Star Delivers its First PC-12 NG

Pilatus announced that its newest PC-12 Sales and Service Center, Pro Star Aviation of Londonderry, New Hampshire, has just completed its first customer delivery of a PC-12 NG. This is an important event for Pro Star as it continues to build on the outstanding success of the world’s best-selling business turboprop.

Beginning in January 2009, Pro Star was awarded the exclusive PC-12 sales and service rights to the northeastern United States. Its territory includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Henry Laughlin, CEO of Pro Star Pilatus Center commented, “We are delighted to deliver our first PC-12 NG to an important New Jersey based customer. We have no doubt the aircraft will perform all mission requirements flawlessly and we are excited to build upon this important company milestone.”

Thomas Bosshard, President and CEO of Pilatus Business Aircraft, Ltd. added, “Pro Star Pilatus Center is a significant new addition to the worldwide PC-12 Sales and Service Network. Current and future PC-12 owners will certainly benefit from their customer-first attitude and their extensive turbine aircraft expertise. Congratulations on the first of what will soon be many great milestones for Pro Star.”

With strategic locations throughout the northeast including Caldwell, New Jersey and Portland, Maine, Pro-Star Pilatus Center is promoting and supporting PC-12 NG sales and service to build further brand awareness in the region.

Dexter to Launch Air Taxi Service in Siberia

Russian air taxi service Dexter plans to launch air taxi services in the Siberian Federal District, Yevgeny Andrachnikov, director of the air taxi project, announced in May. Dexter plans to make customized flights between cities located up to 2,000 kilometers from each other on eight-seat Pilatus PC-12 planes, Andrachnikov said. Dexter was founded in 2004. It was established by Russia’s Industrial Investors Group and aviation holding Kaskol. Dexter currently operates in the Central, Volga and Northwest federal districts and recently started making flights in the Urals Federal District. The company plans to set up a national network with a fleet of 70-80 planes in all of Russia’s big cities and transport centers by 2013.

Yeti Flies the PC-6

Yeti Airlines has selected the PC-6 for operations in Kathmandu, Nepal. Yeti placed an order for two of the type for cargo services, as well as business and tourist flights in the mountainous Himalayan region. It’s difficult to find many half-century-old aircraft designs, although the rugged Pilatus PC-6 just celebrated 50 years in the sky. The PC-6 recorded its maiden sortie on 4 May 1959 and Pilatus hopes to deliver its 1,000th PC-6 in 2012, with between five and 10 built every year.