Pilatus has released details of its PC-24 twin jet project at the European Business Aviation Conference at Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva overnight.
Described by the manufacturer as "the world's first super versatile jet", the PC-24 is being developed to operate from short, unpaved runways and has a cargo door as standard.
According to Oscar Schwenk, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pilatus, the company embarked on the project in response to customer demand.
"Over ten years ago, we started asking our PC-12 customers what they would like to see in the next Pilatus aircraft," he said.
"The answers were always the same: further and faster, whilst retaining the much appreciated strengths of the PC-12, such as the ability to use very short runways. It was a huge challenge for our development team! We are all the more proud to be able to unveil an aircraft with exactly those qualities today: the PC-24."
Powered by two Williams FJ44-4A turbines producing 15000 kN of thrust each, the PC-24 is predicted to have a top speed of 425 knots and a range with four passengers of 1950 nm.
The cabin will be available in a choice of different configurations ranging from an executive layout with 6-8 passenger seats to a commuter set-up with room for up to 10 passengers, or even combi-versions with ample space for passengers and cargo, right through to special installations for emergency medical flights.
The avionics will be a completely new Pilatus system called the Advanced Cockpit Environment (ACE), developed especially to reduce cockpit workloads. The basic version will include four 12-inch screens, the SmartView™ synthetic vision system, TCAS II, IRS, LVP and the option to complete flight planning procedures on the screen itself, in graphical form.
Schwenk says the PC-24 will be just as successful as the turbo-prop PC-12.
"Very importantly, the PC-24 is a
completely new development – not a 'me too product'. Specifically, there is no
other business jet on the market with the same credentials and qualities as our
new jet. Once again, we aim to fill a market niche and I am confident we will do
so successfully.
"I am proud that we are able to develop such complex
aircraft for the worldwide market here in Switzerland. I am sure our future
customers will be every bit as enthusiastic as I am about the PC-24 – the
world's first 'Super Versatile Jet‘!"
Prototype roll-out is expected in late 2014, with production aircraft having a price tag of $US8.9 million.