|
On the Record with
OSCAR SCHWENK, PRESIDENT & CEO, PILATUS AIRCRAFT
Pilatus Finds Business Buoyant After Slow 2003 Start
"Our 2003 business year had a difficult and alarming start, despite the conclusion in January of a long-awaited order from Ireland for eight PC-9M trainers. Quiet has a calming effect in the natural world; but quiet on the shop floor is a far-from-relaxing experience. After May of the year, however, short-time working and waiting for work had both been firmly banished. Production rates were raised from an initial two PC-12s a month to two per week. And by year-end, 76 aircraft had been sold—50% more than in 2002".
So said Oscar Schwenk, president and CEO of Swiss manufacturer Pilatus Aircraft, adding, "As a result, 2003 proved an unexpectedly good year. Sales totaled CHF436 million ($348.53 million), a 24% improvement on the prior-year result; and free cashflow from operations amounted to over 20% of sales.
"But the Group's success in 2003 was by no means based on sales of a single aircraft type, or single-country orders. Sales figures were increased in every continent, and included orders for, or deliveries of, three different aircraft types. The Government Aviation business unit's support agreements and upgrade packages also produced sound revenue flows."
Schwenk is also bullish about the future of his long-established Swiss company, under private ownership since 2001. As its prime new project, the potent 330-kt PC-21 turboprop trainer has accumulated over 450 hours of flight development since the prototype first flew in July 2002. It was joined by a second prototype on June 7 this year, and no problems are anticipated in meeting its FAR 23 certification target by the year-end.
Its design objectives aim to span single-type training roles from basic, advanced and lead-in fighter conversion stages, with extensive use of embedded operational mission simulation and emulation. Pilatus is participating in current Eurotraining studies, particularly in addressing Phase II and III basic and advanced training requirements, towards the currently planned 2010-2012 procurement time-scale.
Production is continuing of the PC-9M, six of which, plus six options and a single PC-12 utility aircraft, were ordered this year by Bulgaria.
"But Pilatus is not just a military aircraft supplier," noted Schwenk. "In 2003, we delivered 65 PC-12 pressurized light transport/utility and business aircraft. This represented a 40% increase over the 46 PC-12s delivered in the previous year, and included 38 to North American and nine to South American buyers. In all, 326 of 431 PC-12s now delivered operate in the Americas."
Development is also continuing with two prototypes of the PC-12 Spectre aircraft with FLIR and camera sensors for surveillance roles. A revival of interest in the PC-6 Turbo Porter STOL utility aircraft, still in production after 44 years, emerged in 2003 with deliveries of two to overseas customers. As the Pilatus group's third main aerospace interest, its maintenance business unit contributed 18% of total 2003 sales.
—John Fricker
back
to ShowNews home
|
