For those of you who are not quite as familiar, the Pilatus PC-12 has been in production since 1995. With over 1,800 aircraft delivered, the PC-12 is the best-selling single-engine turboprop in the world. To date, four different variants have been produced; the PC-12/45, PC-12/47, PC-12/47E (known as the “NG” model), and the newest aircraft released in late 2019, the PC-12NGX. The aircraft has evolved quite a bit over the last 25 years, with various upgrades and system improvements along the way. Interesting enough, there is not one variant of the Pilatus PC-12 that is not sought after. Since its inception, strong demand across the board and high resale values have been the backbone of the PC-12 program.
Who operates the PC-12? Ironically, the aircraft’s original design was intended to be a cargo hauler/multi-mission aircraft. Ever wonder why there’s a large cargo door? Almost immediately the aircraft gained popularity and progressively more traction in the general aviation world with its ability to carry passengers in a large comfortable cabin. It became the aircraft to have by private owner-pilots, privately held corporations, government/special mission operators like the U.S. Airforce and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and even small airlines. Thanks to large trailing link landing gear, the PC-12 is also quite well known for grass and unimproved landing capabilities. All PC-12s are certified for single pilot IFR operations and have all-weather capabilities. With a pressurized cabin capable of carrying up to eight passengers (executive configuration), up to a cruise altitude of 30,000ft., it is easy to see why the PC-12 is the Turbine Suburban of the skies!