By Lisa Gordon | November 2, 2016 Estimated reading time 5 minutes, seconds.
Pilatus’ clean-sheet PC-24 twin-engine business jet–billed as the “super versatile jet”–made its NBAA debut at the Orlando Executive Airport on Nov. 2.
The second prototype of the Swiss-made jet (P02), which has been undergoing flight testing in the United States, interrupted its test program to make a brief appearance at the show’s static line, where it was displayed alongside the latest PC-12 NG.
In an NBAA press conference on Oct. 31, Andre Zimmerman, vice-president of the PC-24 program, said flight testing of the new jet is now at the halfway point.
“The development program is on track,” said Zimmerman. “So far, we’ve achieved very important milestones: the naturalizing campaign successfully concluded; hot and high testing; cold soak testing at the climatic chamber at Eglin Air Force Base; and water spray testing in the U.K. We are on track for EASA and FAA certification in the third quarter of next year.”
Pilatus currently has two aircraft in the flight test program. As of Oct. 30, they had completed 600 flights and logged a total of 1,032 hours of flight time. The third PC-24 test aircraft, P03, is now in systems integration and is expected to take flight in the first quarter of 2017.
The PC-24 shares many of the features found on its successful sibling, the PC-12 NG, including a large cargo door and the ability to land on unimproved runways. It will be certified for single-pilot operations, although Zimmerman said Pilatus expects many of the aircraft to operate with two pilots.
The first jet will be delivered to the New Hampshire-based fractional program PlaneSense immediately after certification.
Zimmerman reported that the aircraft “behaves better than expected” during flight testing. Pilatus expects to surpass previously projected performance data, which includes max cruise speed of 425 knots TAS, stall speed of 81 knots, maximum range of 1,800 nautical miles with six passengers, and a landing distance of 2,525 feet over a 50-foot obstacle.
“With its unique ability to access short, remote and unimproved strips, the PC-24 is well suited to the geography of Canada and to the missions of Canadian operators,” noted Stan Kuliavas, vice-president of sales and business development at Pilatus dealer Levaero Aviation. “The single-pilot aircraft will be the only jet with a large functional cargo door, as made famous by the PC-12.”
In a company press release, Pilatus noted that updated PC-24 performance data will be released at the May 2017 European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland.
Pilatus has been working with partner FlightSafety International to develop pilot and maintenance training aids, including a PC-24 full-motion level D simulator. The OEM is also implementing a new CrystalCare Support Program for scheduled and unscheduled maintenance.
Meanwhile, Pilatus is on track to deliver 90 PC-12 NGs this year, with sales trending upwards in 2016. However, the manufacturer plans to scale back production in 2017 to avoid saturating the market and to protect the value of pre-owned aircraft. According to Ignaz Gretener, vice-president of the PC-12 program, a 10-year-old PC-12 is still valued at 80 per cent of its factory new value.
Pilatus will deliver the 1,500th PC-12 in mid-2017.
