Pilatus Aircraft Ltd, founded in 1939 in Stans, Switzerland, is the manufacturer of a range of turboprop and jet engine private aircraft. The company has produced some of the most unique and best-selling single-engine turboprop aircraft. The Swiss company also positions itself as a market leader in pilot training aircraft and associated simulators.
With a workforce of over 3,000 people, it is one of the largest and most innovative companies in Central Switzerland. Pilatus and Canton Nidwalden jointly own the company's home base in a 50-50 arrangement. The Pilatus Group also includes independent subsidiaries in the USA and Australia.
Pilatus provides training for over 140 apprentices in various professions – job training for young people has always been a very high priority. Pilatus remains committed to Switzerland as a hub for work and new ideas, and acts in a sustainable and environmentally-conscious manner at all times. Targeting a niche market The company is known for serving niche markets, particularly those served with short takeoff and landing (STOL) and military training aircraft.
In the mid-1950s, the Pilatus PC-6 Porter became popular for its STOL capabilities. Piston-engine trainers, including turbo versions, entered the market in the 1970s. In the 1990s, a more focused civilian market was explored with the Pilatus PC-12, a single-engine turboprop aircraft that would go on to make several major records.
According to Pilatus Aircraft , “Founded in 1939, Pilatus Aircraft Ltd develops and produces the world’s most unique aircraft: from the legendary PC-12, the best-selling single-engine turboprop in its class, to the PC-7 MKX and PC-21 and associated simulators, the market-leading systems for pilot training.” The aircraft is used for a variety of operations across the world. The company’s most iconic aircraft Pilatus PC-12 Crew: 1 or 2 Capacity: 6 to 9 passenger seats Length: 14.
4 m (47 ft 3 in) Wingspan: 16.28 m (53 ft 5 in) Max takeoff weight: 4,740 kg (10,450 lb) Cabin: 5.16 meters (16.
9 ft) long, 1.47 meters (4.8 ft) high, up to 1.
52 meters (5.0 ft) wide Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67P turboprop engine, 890 kW (1,200 shp) Cruise speed: 528 km/h (328 mph, 285 kn) Range: 3,417 km (2,123 mi, 1,845 NM) Service ceiling: 9,144 m (30,000 ft) The Pilatus PC-12 is a pressurized turboprop aircraft for personal transport. The type was introduced in 1991 as a high-performance utility aircraft with a large aft cargo door and extraordinary operational capabilities.
Designed primarily for private passenger transport, the PC-12 kept the company in the spotlight, thanks to its popularity among European and global operators. The manufacturing has produced over 2,000 examples of the PC-12, with many utilized in other roles, including regional commercial airlines, government agencies, armed forces, and air ambulances. The company delivered its 2,000th PC-12 in May 2023.
According to Pilatus Aircraft , “Versatile. Safe. Reliable.
Proven. These are terms operators of PC-12s frequently used to describe their aircraft, and why so many people around the world trust the PC-12 to fly their families, employees, customers and critical cargo. Add comfort, quality, efficiency and time savings to the list of benefits for those who travel on the world’s most popular single-engine business aircraft.
” The Pilatus PC-12 is the Swiss army knife of the sky, with most of its buyers coming from North America. Pilatus PC-24 Crew: one or two Capacity: 10 passengers Length: 16.85 m (55 ft 2 in) Wingspan: 17.
0 m (55 ft 9 in) Height: 5.4 m (17 ft 4 in) Max takeoff weight: 8,500 kg (18,700 lb) Cabin: 7.01 m × 1.
69 m × 1.55 m long × wide × high (23 ft 0 in × 5 ft 7 in × 5 ft 1 in) Cabin altitude: 2,438 m at 13,716 m (8,000 ft at 45,000 ft), 8.78 psi (0.
605 bar) Powerplant: 2 × Williams FJ44-4A turbofans, 15 kN (3,400 lbf) thrust each Cruise speed: 815 km/h (506 mph, 440 knots) Range: 3,704 km (2,302 mi, 2,000 NM), six passengers (1,200 lb payload) Service ceiling: 13,716 m (45,000 ft) , single engine ceiling 7,925 m (26,000 ft) Following the success of the PC-12, the company introduced a light business jet aircraft, Pilatus PC-24, with twin engines. The manufacturer showed the PC-24 for the first time in August 2014, just under a year before it performed its first flight. The first delivery of the PC-24 business jet was undertaken in February 2018.
The rugged airfield capability allows for a large variety of operations, including those in the armed forces and humanitarian missions. The PC-24 is powered by a set of Williams FJ44 turbofan engines, each generating approximately 3,400 lbf (15 kN). With its suitable timing on the market, it competes with the Embraer Phenom 300 and the Cessna Citation CJ4.
The innovative design engineers at Pilatus Aircraft created the Swiss Army Knife of private jets..
