The Ultimate Turboprop: Overview of the Pilatus PC-12

• The PC-12 aircraft marked the transition of Pilatus Aircraft from military to civil aviation.
• The PC-12 debuted in the early 1990s and was intended for single-engine, high-performance operation.
• Impressive features include a convertible cabin, short runway flexibility and a single-engine turboprop.

Founded in December 1939, Pilatus airplanes has been manufacturing airplanes ever since. A Swiss firm was formed under a new contract to build Supermarine Spitfires for the Swiss Army. The aircraft was first built and maintained for the Swiss Army.

The business eventually shifted to producing aircraft for more niche markets.  short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft are those that Pilatus began producing in the 1950s and 1960s with the ability to land on short runways. During this period the business continued to manufacture military aircraft.

Pilatus then entered the general aviation market with aircraft manufacturing. The iconic PC-12, a single-engine turboprop aircraft, was introduced by the business in the early 1990s. The introduction of this high-performance aircraft changed the field of general aviation. The aircraft maintains exceptional takeoff and landing performance and is highly efficient. These qualities, among others, made it a logical choice for owner-operators.

The aircraft entered the cargo market when a cargo door version was added, and charter companies also use it for passenger flights. Let us examine the development of this aircraft in more detail. Let’s also look at some of the special features that contribute to the legendary status of this aircraft.

Brief history of the PC-12

As already mentioned, Pilatus debuted in the PC-12 in the early nineties. But the development of this aircraft started much earlier than that. At the annual National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) meeting in 1989, the Swiss manufacturer announced the debut of the PC-12.

Until then, the program remained under wraps, although the first prototype was already being developed when it was revealed.

Pilatus predicts that this recently launched aircraft will significantly close the gap in the general aviation sector. By maintaining only one engine, the business aims to achieve high peak speed and long-range high-performance flying characteristics.

Finally, in May 1991, the first prototype made its inaugural flight. This started Pilatus on a long road of development and validation. After some preliminary tests, Pilatus decided to rework, enlarge and add winglets to his wings to help them function as envisioned. Ultimately, the PC-12 received certification in March 1994 from the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation, the country’s aviation regulatory body. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted the PC-12 its type certificate the following July.

Since then, the business has developed several PC-12 updated versions. An initial update known as PC-12/45 was approved in 1996. It had some minor improvements as well as an increase in maximum takeoff weight (MTOW). Owners of the original PC-12 were able to upgrade their aircraft to the new PC-12/45. The PC-12/47 update was the next update to receive certification in 2005. Once again, it included an upgraded interior and increased takeoff weight.

The PC-12HGX was the most current PC-12 update to be released. It had a completely renovated interior with 10% wider windows. It also included a better Honeywell avionics system, autothrottle and an upgraded engine.

Interesting design features

As mentioned earlier, the PC-12 is engineered to achieve remarkable performance with a large cabin and single engine. The Pilatus preferred to use only one engine and still outperformed competing twin-engine aircraft on the market. Pilatus decided to use the Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67 turboprop engine to do this. Up to date, most recent models of the engine have a shaft horsepower rating of over 1,200.

Pilatus also uses a high pressure cabin. In total, nine people can comfortably stay in this spacious cabin. Two distinctive cabin features are the enclosed lavatory and the refreshment area at the front of the aircraft. The cabin itself is fully customizable. This enables cargo or military operators to modify the cabin as needed. For example, many nations use the PC-12 in their fleets, such as:

• United States Air Force
• United States Special Operations Command
• Finnish Air Force
• Irish Air Corps
• Swiss Air Force
• Western Australia Police
• Ontario Provincial Police

The PC-12 has also been customized into an air ambulance. The South African Red Cross Air Mercy Service and the Royal Flying Doctor Service use this aircraft for their medical transport services.

Impressive performance measures

As already mentioned, the aircraft is powered in part by the PC-12’s single turboprop engine. Among other things, its robust engine enables it to maintain exceptional short-field performance. The aircraft is typically capable of taking off on a runway 2,485 feet long and landing on a runway a little over 2,150 feet long. The PC-12’s ability to land on dusty runways extends the range of locations in which it can operate.

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