EBACE 2013 Day 1: Pilatus PC-24
The biggest news from Day 1 at EBACE in Geneva was the launch of the new Pilatus PC-24 aircraft.
Previously manufacturing the single engine turbo prop PC-12, this is a massive jump forward for Swiss manufacturer Pilatus Aircraft.
The PC-12 is on track to land in the charter market in 2017.
The spec sheet is terribly impressive:
- Projected purchase Cost is under $10m
- Range 1950nm
- Fast climb to FL450 in 30mins
- Cruise speed 425kts
- Payload: 2,500kg
The biggest wow factor is that the PC-24 is a twin jet that has been designed to land on unpaved runways under 3000ft. Quite impressive for any aircraft of this size, let alone a jet.
Its 512 cubic feet is spacious, larger than the Citation XLS for example and at significantly lower cost.
Another ground-breaking feature for a jet in this medium cabin class is the PC-24’s very large rear cargo door. This will make this new Pilatus jet a very versatile aircraft in the cargo, medevac and potentially military markets.
Often new aircraft launches as all smoke and stobes with no real significant improvements to the competitors. However this time the Pilatus PC-24 has shocked the private jet market with such bold step forward.