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

NextGen-Version On Tap For Later This Year

Aero-News learned this week Pilatus Aircraft recently celebrated the delivery of its 700th PC-12 turboprop.
In a celebration marked at V. Kelner Pilatus Center in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, PC-12 owner David Fountain accepted the keys to his new aircraft from Robert Arnone, President and CEO, and Steve Davey, Vice President of V. Kelner Pilatus Center.
Fountain knows the PC-12 very well, having been the proud owner of one since April 2001. A private investor by trade, he plans to fly his new PC-12 himself out of Halifax, Nova Scotia, as he has done with his previous aircraft for the past six years.
“The Pilatus PC-12 is an exceptional personal aircraft," Fountain said. "With its speed, range, comfort and reliability it has no rivals in its class. I have had a great deal of pleasure flying my first one throughout North America and I look forward to many exciting trips in my second PC-12.”
“The greatest advocates of the PC-12 are often those who know the aircraft best -- its current owners and pilots," said Thomas Hunziker, President and CEO of Pilatus Business Aircraft, Ltd. "Each year, many existing PC-12 owners become repeat customers because of the PC-12’s proven performance. And also, no doubt, because it is a lot of fun to fly!”
It is Fountain's second PC-12... and the company tells ANN he has already committed to purchasing a third.
The PC-12 has been the top selling turbine-powered business aircraft for the past four years in a row. Pilatus celebrated the delivery of the 600th PC-12 just over one year ago. As ANN has reported, Pilatus plans to introduce the Next Generation PC-12 later this year.

aero-news.net 19th Apr 07

ExecuJet grows fleet with PC-12

ExecuJet South Africa has added another Swiss-built Pilatus PC-12 to its growing fleet of either owned or managed aircraft. This brings ExecuJet's fleet of PC-12s to six and its total number of aircraft to 18, writes Hilka Birns.
Denis Crossley, ExecuJet's flight operations director, says the charter company's fleet ranging from turboprops to intercontinental jets meets the demands of most flight missions. "With yet another PC-12, we can offer a wider range of travel options. This is the aircraft of choice for Africa's many unprepared airfields," he says.
ExecuJet also has two Beechcraft King Air 200s, a Bombardier Global Express, Challenger 604, Challenger 601, four Learjet 45s, a 31A, a Cessna Citation V and a Caravan.

Flight Global 17th Apr 07

PC-12 Top Seller for fourth consecutive Year

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) announced that shipments of every type of general aviation airplane increased in 2006. These strong numbers have led to another record high in industry billings, and the Pilatus PC-12 remains the top selling single model of turbine-powered business aircraft for the fourth consecutive year.

The PC-12 is in its 14th year of production and it is now being produced at the highest rate to date. 90 PC-12s were delivered worldwide in 2006.

2006 Top Selling Turbine Business Aircraft
Model
2006 Sales

1. Pilatus PC-12
- 90
2. Citation XLS
- 73
3. Citation CJ3
- 72
4. Grand Caravan
- 59
5. Sovereign
- 57
Source: GAMA

Customers cite the PC-12’s combination of speed, large pressurized cabin, short field performance, and oversized cargo door along with the favorable economics of a single-engine turboprop as the reasons behind its popularity.

“People recognize that the PC-12’s size and performance, its efficiency, quality and high value retention make it the best value on the market today”, said Thomas Bosshard, CEO of Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. “Looking forward, we are confident that the Next Generation PC-12, which is slated for certification at the end of 2007, will further strengthen those traditions.”

The Next Generation PC-12 features a number of improvements, including a fully integrated Honeywell Primus Apex avionics system, a new cockpit designed by BMW Group DesignworksUSA, and a more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A engine.

04th Apr 07