Aircrafttotal Encyclopedia

The Pilatus PC-12 is a pressurized, single-engined, turboprop aircraft manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Stans, Switzerland since 1991. It was designed as a high-performance utility aircraft that incorporates a large aft cargo door in addition to the main passenger door. Due to its efficient, high-utility design, the PC-12 is used by a large variety of operators. The main use for the aircraft is corporate transportation, but it is also used by fractional and small regional airlines, air-ambulance operators, and many government agencies, such as police departments and armed forces. The PC-12 is successful with 2,000 deliveries made as of May 2023.

The PC-12 is a single-engined, turboprop-powered, business aircraft, designed for performing multiple roles and to deliver performance and safety equal to twin-engined aircraft. It is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67 engine; early models being powered by the PT6A-67B, while the later PC-12 NG variant uses the more powerful PT6A-67P, which is flat rated at only 70% of its maximum power. According to Pilatus, the PC-12 NG has exceptional versatility and is capable of operating within the most rugged environments, such as the Australian outback; it is one of the few pressurized turbine-powered aircraft capable of operating from rough landing strips. Its trailing arm landing gear allows access to airfields inaccessible to many jet aircraft

Development

In October 1989, Pilatus announced the development of the PC-12 at the annual convention of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). Prior to the 1989 announcement, the PC-12 project had been worked on for some time under high levels of secrecy; by the time of the announcement, assembly of the first prototype had already commenced. Pilatus believed that the PC-12 would fit a new market not served by existing aircraft and that the type would be the first single-engined aircraft with a large cabin that would be capable of flying at high speeds across long distances. The two prototypes were completed on 1 May 1991, with the first flight taking place on 31 May 1991. Swiss certification of the type had been originally planned for mid-1991 but a redesign of the wings (to increase the wingspan and add winglets to ensure performance guarantees were met) delayed progress. On 30 March 1994, the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation issued the type certificate for the PC-12 Federal Aviation Administration approval in the U.S. followed on 15 July 1994

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Pilatus PC-12 NGX

General Info

Crew: 1 or 2
Capacity: 6 to 9 passengers seats
Length: 14.4 m (47 ft 3 in)
Wingspan: 16.28 m (53 ft 5 in)
Height: 4.26 m (14 ft 0 in)
Wing area: 25.81 m² (277.8 sq ft)

Powerplant

Empty weight: 2,810 kg Max takeoff weight: 4,740 kg Maximum landing weight: 4,500 kg Maximum zero fuel weight: 4,100 kg Fuel capacity: 1,226 kg (2,703 lb) / 1,521 L (402 US gal; 335 imp gal) Cabin: 5.16 metres (16.9 ft) long, 1.47 metres (4.8 ft) high, up to 1.52 metres (5.0 ft) wide Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67P turboprop engine, 890 kW (1,200 shp

Empty weight: 2,810 kg
Max takeoff weight: 4,740 kg
Maximum landing weight: 4,500 kg
Maximum zero fuel weight: 4,100 kg
Fuel capacity: 1,226 kg (2,703 lb) / 1,521 L (402 US gal; 335 imp gal)
Cabin: 5.16 metres (16.9 ft) long, 1.47 metres (4.8 ft) high, up to 1.52 metres (5.0 ft) wide
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67P turboprop engine, 890 kW (1,200 shp

Performance

Cruise speed: 528 km/h (328 mph
Stall speed: 124 km/h (77 mph
Range: 3,417 km (2,123 mi, 1,845 nmi) (HSC, VFR Reserves)
Service ceiling: 9,144 m
Rate of climb: 9.75 m/s
Take-off run to 15 m 793 m)
Landing run from 15 m (49 ft): 661 m

Aircraft of comparable role

Special Links Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Pilatus PC-12 NGX

Links to Youtube & Others

At the October 2019 NBAA convention, Pilatus announced the already certified PC-12NGX. Its PT6E-67XP includes a full-authority digital engine control and a low-speed propeller mode to lower cabin noise.

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Pilatus PC-12 NGX

Early sales of the PC-12 principally went to utility operators, because Pilatus was reportedly uncertain of the sales potential for business and passenger operators.

Youtube Link

The PC-12 is Pilatus' first aircraft directed principally at the civil market. Despite the company historically being a military-oriented supplier,

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.
Pilatus PC-12 NGX PT6E-67XP