Haiti Relief: PC-12s Go Where No One Else Can

On the day the earthquake struck Haiti, Laura Mason received more than a dozen calls from international relief organizations for help. As the executive director of the Pilatus Owners and Pilots Association (POPA), Mason was in a unique position to support the relief efforts. She immediately began coordinating humanitarian flights to Haiti by owners and operators of Pilatus PC-12 turboprop aircraft from across the country.

"We've had at least 30 POPA members making humanitarian flights to Haiti, many flying repeat missions," said Mason. "One of our members has been flying to and from Haiti for the last two weeks."

The devastated infrastructure of Haiti, and distance from the U.S., put Pilatus operators in high demand among relief organizations.

"The PC-12 is the ideal aircraft for these missions," said POPA President Bob MacLean. "With the main airport in Port-au-Prince locked down, the relief organizations needed to be able to get into the smaller airfields - with no lights, no tower - surrounding the city. They needed to be able to land on dirt airstrips. The PC-12 can do all that. It also has a large cargo capacity, the flexibility to carry people or supplies and it has the range to fly 700 miles to Haiti, hold before landing and return."

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PC-12 NG Deliveries Reach a New High

Pilatus is delighted to announce a record-breaking year for PC-12 deliveries. The company delivered 100 PC-12 NGs in 2009 worldwide, surpassing delivery totals for any production year since the PC-12 program began. “Achieving 100 deliveries in a single year is a significant milestone for Pilatus and the PC-12 NG production program and reason to celebrate,” said Ignaz Gretener, Vice President General Aviation at Pilatus Aircraft, Ltd. “This would be true in any year, but the fact we did it last year is simply outstanding.”

The PC-12 has consistently been one of the top selling models of turbine-powered aircraft, and Pilatus has conservatively increased production over the years, delivering 90, 92, and 97 of the type in 2006, 2007, and 2008, respectively. The company’s steady approach has allowed it to carefully grow yet stay appropriately lean.

BMW Sauber F1 Team takes off with Pilatus

A key factor in ensuring that Formula One teams operate efficiently is flexible travel planning and the option of landing at small airports close to race tracks. With this in mind, the BMW Sauber F1 Team has entered a partnership with Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. The Swiss plane manufacturer will make its nine-seater PC-12 NG – in team livery – available for European flights.

Team Principal and owner Peter Sauber is confident that “This partnership will gain us valuable time at many races and test drives. We value Pilatus’ reputation very highly and envisage plenty of synergies in joint incentive events as well as technology communications.”

Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of Pilatus Aircraft Ltd, Oscar J. Schwenk, commented: “Pilatus Aircraft Ltd is delighted to be able to partner the BMW Sauber Team during the 2010 season. In motor racing as in aviation, the highest quality, optimum precision and perfect teamwork are vital success factors. As Switzerland’s sole aircraft manufacturer, we wish Switzerland’s only Formula One team a high-flying season full of precision landings.”