Pilatus integrates new flash elements to website

In with the new and out with the old - appropriate words for Pilatus considering 2008 is the year in which customers will begin to receive their Next Generation PC-12's. To help celebrate this fact Pilatus has been busy updating all of its collateral material in addition to the PC-12 section of our website.

We have now completed the integration of all flash elements which help maximise the user experience. Please click the following links for more information:

Fuel Comparator (Newest addition)
http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/applications/pc12flash/fuelcomparator.html
Exterior Walkaround
http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/applications/pc12flash/exteriorwalkaround.html
Interior Cabin
http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/applications/pc12flash/executivecabin.html
Cockpit Tour
http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/applications/pc12flash/cockpit.html
Trip estimator
http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/applications/pc12flash/rangecircles.html
Size Comparator
http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/applications/pc12flash/sizeillustrator.html

We hope you find these elements interesting and useful.

Western Aircraft appoint Avionics integrator

Western Aircraft has named Rick Blanton as an Avionics Systems Integrator, effective immediately. As an Avionics Systems Integrator, Blanton’s primary responsibilities will be creating and updating avionics structural drawings for aircraft modifications and repairs, providing integration analyses, and providing technical assistance to all avionics customers.
Western Aircraft’s Vice President of Aircraft Services, Brian Rehberg stated that, “Rick has quickly stepped up to the plate and helped Western Aircraft deliver a multi million dollar, technically complex contract right out of the box. He has been a great addition to the engineering team.”
Blanton brings a solid technical background and a great amount of enthusiasm to the Avionics Engineering Group. He has been in the avionics industry for over 18 years, and has worked on commercial, corporate, and general aviation aircraft. Blanton has been with Western Aircraft for 8 years as an Avionics Technician and Team Lead. He also has a background in the United States Air Force as an Avionics Lead and as a Quality Assurance Inspector.

Business & Commercial Aviation readers honor Pilatus

Readers have frequently asked us if we had one, overall favorite airplane. That's a tough call, but the Pilatus PC-12 ranks near the top of the list. This versatile single-engine turboprop has a slightly larger cabin than a Beech King Air B200, cruise speeds of a King Air C90GT, cabin sound levels that rival those of some turbofan aircraft and impressive short-field performance.

In the highly competitive field of business aircraft, Pilatus comes out on top yet again. No small wonder why it is consistently the worlds best selling business aircraft.

More time for PODS founder to fly his PC-12

PODS Storage company founder Pete Warhurst recently sold his company for $430million. For Warhurst, 55, a former firefighter, avid golfer and private pilot, the deal has brought him some peace of mind, and finally some time off. Wednesday evening, Arcapita wired the money to PODS, and Warhurst poured himself a celebratory martini and thought about his next move.

A big golfer and licensed private pilot, Warhurst often takes his buddies golfing - abroad - throwing a bunch of guys and their clubs into his Pilatus PC-12 turboprop for a weekend of golf in Jamaica.

Warhurst would fly himself to business meetings across the country, yet still answer his cell phone midflight while piloting into a New York City airport.

"I don't have any big schemes or ideas yet," he said. "Right now, I want to work with my daughter and family, look at some investments." The other day, Warhurst and his family spotted a condo they like that had been foreclosed on. With the price at 50 cents on the dollar, they made an offer, though he declined to say exactly where or for how much.

"I'm not going to jump into something right out of the gate," he said. "My first business was technology, with the 911 systems, then I went from high tech to delivering boxes. So there's a broad spectrum of what piques my interest."

The Tampa Tribune

Malaysia takes delivery of 10 PC-7 MK II's

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) today received 10 Swiss-made Pilatus PC-7 MK II light planes to beef up its pilot training capacity.

The planes, which cost RM213 million, are among the most modern. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak received the planes on behalf of the Malaysian government around noon here from Pilatus Aircraft Ltd's Commercial Unit vice-president, Jim Roche.

Earlier, 10 pilots led by Lt Col Azhar Mohamad from the RMAF Training College in Alor Star, flew the new planes in a demonstration in conjunction with the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA 2007) exhibition.

The ministry's deputy division secretary (Procurement) Roslend Mansor said the 10 new planes would boost RMAF's capability which currently had eight PC-7 MK II and 30 PC-7 MK I.

Smiling around the world in a PC-12

Smilingflyer, off to a great start on its fantastic round the world trip, will visit the following destinations: Crete, Egypt, Dubai/United Arab Emirates, Maldives, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, North Fork Island, Tonga, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, , Chile , Uruguay, Brazil , Fernando de Noronha Island, Cape Verde, Morocco and Spain.

Currently on route through Australia, the team had a narrow escape from Papua New Guinea having been accused of attempted kidnapping of a British Royal. A true adventure in the PC-12. www.smilingflyer.com

PC-21 moving closer to UAE deal

Embraer is believed to have been eliminated from the United Arab Emirates’ estimated 64-aircraft basic and advanced jet trainer competition, narrowing the field to designs produced by Alenia Aermacchi, Korea Aerospace Industries/Lockheed Martin and Pilatus.