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Following a decision by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the PC-12 NG, the world’s best-selling single-engine turboprop aircraft, is now approved for commercial operations in Europe.
The PC-12 has been in successful commercial use for years in other parts of the world, be it for business, medical transport or cargo flights.
Single-engine turbine aircraft were approved for commercial operations in Europe on March 1, 2017. This important decision by EASA means that the PC-12 can now be operated commercially at night, and under instrument flight rules, across all 32 EASA member states [commercial air transport single-engine turbine in instrument metrological conditions (CAT SET-IMC)].
A spacious, comfortable cabin, high loading capacity and large cargo door make the PC-12 an extremely versatile aircraft. Those qualities combined with a range that is sufficient to cover all of Europe, plus lower operating and maintenance costs compared to twin-engine aircraft, will open up interesting new perspectives for commercial operators in Europe.
The worldwide fleet of nearly 1,500 PC-12s has now completed over six million hours in the air.
Ignaz Gretener, vice president of general aviation at Pilatus, said:
“CAT SET-IMC will make it possible to develop new routes in Europe. The decision by the EASA provides an incentive for aircraft operators in Europe to replace older aircraft with new, safer, more environmentally friendly single-engine turbine aircraft such as the PC-12. With its short take-off and landing capacities, the PC-12 will also fly closer to the desired destination. We are confident that we will soon see a large number of additional PC-12s providing good service in Europe.”
