Pilatus Aircraft is pleased to announce a major program milestone on Apr 30 with the delivery of the 900th PC-12. At a celebration at the company’s US headquarters in Broomfield, Colorado, owner Ron Roma accepted the keys to his new aircraft from Pat Epps, President of Epps Aviation, the factory authorized Pilatus Center for the southeastern United States based in Atlanta, Georgia.
Roma, who has owned no less than four new PC-12s previously, not only has the distinction of owning the milestone aircraft, a brand new 2009 PC-12 NG, but also for taking delivery of his 5th new PC-12 from Pilatus.
Roma explained, “Why do I keep coming back? I’ve flown PC-12s for many years now on personal flights with my family and for business. I have flown all over the United States and around the world twice in them. The aircraft is extremely solid and reliable. Pilatus engineering just nailed it when they originally designed it and since then they have made very thoughtful improvements over the years. The PC-12 is just a great thing that keeps getting better, and now I’ll have the latest with the PC-12 NG.”
Thomas Bosshard, President and CEO of Pilatus Business Aircraft, Ltd., added, “Ron has been a tremendous customer to Pilatus and it’s impossible to overstate how much we appreciate his business. The 900th delivery is a very proud moment in the PC-12 program, which is why we are so pleased to deliver this milestone aircraft to him. He will certainly put it to work, and we are anxious to hear about the new adventures he’ll have in his PC-12 NG.”
Monday, May 4, 2009
PC-12 NG for Finnish Air Force
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd has been awarded a contract by the Air Force Command Finland for the delivery of 6 PC-12 NG aircraft to the Finnish Air Force to replace their existing Liaison Aircraft. The procurement contract, worth € 22.5 million, was agreed and signed at a ceremony in Tikkakoski on Friday attended by the Commander of the Finnish Air Force, Major General Jarmo Lindberg and Jim Roche, Vice President in charge of Government Aviation at Pilatus. Delivery of the 6 PC-12 NG Liaison Aircraft will be made during the final quarter of 2010.
Following more than 12 months of assessment and an extensive flight evaluation phase in Stans, Switzerland and Iqaluit, Canada, Pilatus was able to prevail against international competition and succeeded in securing this very important contract with its PC-12 NG aircraft.
Commenting on the contract award, Pilatus Chairman and CEO, Oscar J. Schwenk, stated: “We are extremely happy to have been awarded this important contract. This decision is further proof of the versatility of the PC-12 NG, which can fulfil the needs of military operators due to its proven multi-role capabilities. We believe this will encourage other Air Forces in Europe and around the globe to look closer at the performance and capabilities of this unique platform. With ever shrinking military budgets, the durability, efficiency and the life cycle cost of the PC-12 NG are key parameters for today’s decision makers. With more than 860 PC-12 aircraft operating every day – on all five continents – in some of the toughest environmental conditions possible, the PC-12 is fast becoming a legend in its own lifetime. Once again we are proud to have been selected and we welcome the Finnish Air Force in to the ‘Pilatus Family’”.
The decision by the Finnish Air Force to purchase the Pilatus PC-12 is a significant benchmark for Pilatus as it marks the first fleet sale of the PC-12 to a European Air Force. The Finnish Air Force joins 32 other Air Forces around the world operating Pilatus aircraft.
The PC-12 NG aircraft with its outstanding versatility, performance and operational flexibility will be used in a Multi Purpose Liaison Aircraft role to transport Finnish air force personnel and cargo and will ultimately replace the Piper PA-31-350 Chieftain aircraft which has been in service with the Finnish Air Force since 1983.
Following more than 12 months of assessment and an extensive flight evaluation phase in Stans, Switzerland and Iqaluit, Canada, Pilatus was able to prevail against international competition and succeeded in securing this very important contract with its PC-12 NG aircraft.
Commenting on the contract award, Pilatus Chairman and CEO, Oscar J. Schwenk, stated: “We are extremely happy to have been awarded this important contract. This decision is further proof of the versatility of the PC-12 NG, which can fulfil the needs of military operators due to its proven multi-role capabilities. We believe this will encourage other Air Forces in Europe and around the globe to look closer at the performance and capabilities of this unique platform. With ever shrinking military budgets, the durability, efficiency and the life cycle cost of the PC-12 NG are key parameters for today’s decision makers. With more than 860 PC-12 aircraft operating every day – on all five continents – in some of the toughest environmental conditions possible, the PC-12 is fast becoming a legend in its own lifetime. Once again we are proud to have been selected and we welcome the Finnish Air Force in to the ‘Pilatus Family’”.
The decision by the Finnish Air Force to purchase the Pilatus PC-12 is a significant benchmark for Pilatus as it marks the first fleet sale of the PC-12 to a European Air Force. The Finnish Air Force joins 32 other Air Forces around the world operating Pilatus aircraft.
The PC-12 NG aircraft with its outstanding versatility, performance and operational flexibility will be used in a Multi Purpose Liaison Aircraft role to transport Finnish air force personnel and cargo and will ultimately replace the Piper PA-31-350 Chieftain aircraft which has been in service with the Finnish Air Force since 1983.
Pilatus Reports Another Good Year
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.
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.
Pilatus Announces Changes to Senior Management
The Board of Directors of Pilatus Aircraft Ltd has approved the following change to the Senior Management. Bruno Cervia from Buochs (NW) has been elected as the new Head of Research & Development. Mr Cervia, who holds a Masters Degree in Aeronautical Engineering, has worked for Pilatus in various management functions since 1986.
He has been in charge of developing new products over the past 12 years, and made a substantial contribution to the success of the Pilatus PC-21 turboprop training aircraft. Pilatus is delighted to have found a new occupant for this management position from amongst its own ranks.
The new appointment is prompted by the departure of the former job holder, John Senior, and will take effect on 1 May 2009. Pilatus thanks John Senior for his outstanding work over the past 20 years, and regrets his departure and subsequent return to England.
He has been in charge of developing new products over the past 12 years, and made a substantial contribution to the success of the Pilatus PC-21 turboprop training aircraft. Pilatus is delighted to have found a new occupant for this management position from amongst its own ranks.
The new appointment is prompted by the departure of the former job holder, John Senior, and will take effect on 1 May 2009. Pilatus thanks John Senior for his outstanding work over the past 20 years, and regrets his departure and subsequent return to England.
Friday, April 3, 2009
“The Neue Generation”
“The uber turboprop gets a major upgrade in its new NG guise” says an article in the March/April 2009 issue of P1, a new business aviation magazine from the UK. Be sure not to miss this one if you can find a copy. Author Stan Hodgkins says “The immediate impression is that this is one big ship!”The magazine is published by Loop Publishing (UK) Ltd.
“A Titan Among Turboprops”
The PC-12 NG is also featured in Fly Corporate Magazine in a great piece by Jack Caroll.
Read it here:
PlaneSense Expands in Bahamas
PlaneSense, Alpha Flying’s Pilatus PC-12 fractional aircraft ownership program, has added seven airports in the Bahamas to its primary operating area. New airports include: Chub Cay and Great Harbor Cay (Berry Islands), Congo Town (Andros), New Bright (Cat Island), Cockburn Town (San Salvador), Spanish Cay (Abaco) and Stella Maris (Long Island).
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