Pilatus Aircraft has delivered the first PC-12 Pro to enter service to an Australian customer, the Swiss manufacturer announced this week.
Pilatus introduced the latest version of its single-engine turbo-prop (SETP) in the northern Spring this year, and handed the keys of the first one to enter service to Australian businessman Dion Weisler, who personally flew it home to Adelaide.
The PC-12 Pro is the latest version of the popular SETP. Equipped with the Garmin G3000 Prime and a completely redesigned cockpit that includes five high-resolution touchscreen displays, it offers state-of-the-art technology and comfort, coupled with a suite of new safety features which includes Safety Autoland, Pilatus branded version of Garmin Autoland.
Weisler, a former CEO of Hewlett Packard, has previously owned a PC-12 NG and two PC-12 NGXs. One of the things that enticed him to upgrade to the Pro version is the Autoland system.
“To me as a pilot, you rely on two things in particular: there’s the airplane, and then there’s the pilot," Weisler said. "And if something happens to the pilot, what are your options? In the PC-12 Pro, you’ve got the new Safety Autoland emergency function – which I think is absolutely invaluable. It keeps my family, my friends and anyone else on board safe.
"If something happens to me, this system automatically takes control to get the aircraft back on the ground at the nearest airport. You can’t put a price on that additional peace of mind."
Along with a Pilatus pilot, Weisler flew the 41-hour flight home via Switzerland to Crete, then via the Middle East, Oman, India, Malaysia, Bali and Darwin, touching down at Adelaide six days later.
"It was an incredible learning opportunity to fly your own aircraft home over such a vast distance with a factory pilot sitting right seat," Weisler said.
"In addition to visiting all these amazing countries, it really allowed me to consolidate the crossover training within the new Garmin cockpit environment, and have someone right there to ask any questions about anything that popped up.
"I am thrilled to own this new intuitive and highly innovative aircraft, and look forward to flying many missions in the future with it.”
The PC-12 Pro is fitted with the latest Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6E-67XP turbo-prop producing 1200 SHP on take-off and in climb. In combination with the fully automatic Electronic Propeller and Engine Control System (EPECS), the digital thrust control is designed to reduce pilot workload, increase fuel efficiency, ensure a smoother flight and protect against engine overload.
"Every decision behind the PC-12 Pro was driven by one question: how do we create more value for our customers?", said Pilatus' VP Business Aviation André Zimmermann. "From enhanced cockpit technologies to refined comfort and performance, the PC-12 Pro reflects the voices of those who fly it.
"It is the result of listening, learning, and delivering – a new aircraft shaped entirely around the people at the heart of Pilatus.”
Pilatus' versatile PC-12 SETP first entered services in March 1994, quickly proving popular due to its short-field performance, unimproved runway capability and large rear cargo door. Around 2100 airframes have been delivered, and there are thought to be around 100 operating in Australia on everything from passenger transport to air ambulance work.