Pilatus Turboprops for Sale

Pilatus Turboprops Overview

By Gerrard Cowan - Editor, Aircraft Reviews

Pilatus has been a well-known manufacturer on the civilian turboprop market since the early 1990s, with the OEM now looking to the future with the latest version of the Pilatus PC-12 and a first step into the business jet market with its PC-24.

The Swiss company is a well-established developer of turboprops, and also offers two turboprop trainer aircraft (the Pilatus PC-7 MkII and the Pilatus PC-21). However, it is arguably best known for the successful PC-12 range.

Pilatus PC-12

The Pilatus PC-12 marked the company’s successful entry into the business aircraft market, with the aircraft being certified in 1994. It provides a spacious cabin for up to ten passengers, in a package that combines first-class flying characteristics with low operating costs, and the ability to operate on grass and other unpaved surfaces.

Powered by a single 1,200shp Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67B engine, this versatile aircraft has proved popular in a number of roles, including passenger transport.

The Pilatus PC-12/45 was certified in 1996, and improved on the original model in several ways, including the provision of a greater take-off weight. Manufactured until 2005, almost 600 platforms were produced, with its operators including PlaneSense, Inc, a US fractional ownership company. Most of the original PC-12 models were subsequently converted to PC-12/45s.

Next came the Pilatus PC-12/47, certified in 2005, and again offering an increase in takeoff weight, which now stood at 4,740kg. This upgrade brought a number of aerodynamic changes, including new winglets, to help improve the performance.

Pilatus PC-12 NG

The Pilatus PC-12 NG was introduced in 2008, and incorporates a new Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67P engine and a glass cockpit avionics suite to the aircraft.

Over the years of production, approximately 940 platforms were produced until the launch of the PC-12 NGX, and the aircraft proved a hit with operators like Jetfly. The PC-12 NG has a maximum range of about 1,845nm and can carry up to ten passengers.

Pilatus PC-12 NGX

Today, the PC-12 range is represented by the Pilatus PC-12 NGX, which was introduced in 2019. It brings an improved engine, a redesigned cabin with larger windows, and smarter avionics.

The aircraft features the PT6E-67XP turboprop engine by Pratt & Whitney Canada, which has an Electronic Propeller and Engine Control System, including Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) – which Pilatus claims to be a worldwide first in this market segment.

Additionally, the new propeller low-speed mode results in a significant reduction in cabin noise, boosting passenger comfort.

Read & Watch:

Read Mike Chase's Turboprop Comparisons:

• Pilatus PC-12Ng Turboprop Comparison with the Cessna Grand Caravan EX
• Pilatus PC-12-BG versus Daher TBM 900
• Daher TBM 850 vs Pilatus - PC-12

Find out What's the Latest on the Pilatus Aircraft Market?

Watch Rene Banglesdorf's Video Interview with Pilot, Andre Bolan about flying the Pilatus PC-12

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