The single-engine, $3 million Pilatus PC-12 turboprop is an ideal and affordable vehicle to provide supplemental lift for corporate flight departments. Such will be the primary message from officials of Pilatus Business Aircraft, Ltd. (Booth 12239) when they descend on Las Vegas this week.
"We trying to fit the PC-12 into corporate flight departments as an aircraft that can provide supplemental lift," indicated Tom Aniello, vp and chief marketing officer for Broomfield, Colo.-based PBA, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pilatus Aircraft, which makes the PC-12 in Stans, Switzerland. "We think the PC-12 will add some needed capability and flexibility to these departments."
No doubt the manufacturer will highlight the versatility of the PC-12, which can come in a nine-seat standard, executive, cargo or passenger/combi configuration, thanks to a large rear port-side door. Despite having only one Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67B turboprop, which may be off-putting to some corporate flight departments, the PC-12 has a bigger cabin than a TBM 700, Cessna CitationJet or Beechcraft King Air 200, boasts the Swiss planemaker. The aircraft is capable of achieving a maximum cruise speed of 270 kts and a maximum cruising altitude of 30,000 feet.
Whether corporate flight departments heed PBA"s pitch is anyone"s guess. But sales of the PC-12 have nonetheless been brisk. Pilatus claims that the PC-12 is the top selling turbine-powered business aircraft this year.
"We"re sold out half way through 2005," beamed Aniello. Nearly all of the aircraft are earmarked for individual customers or Pilatus" dealer network.
As of the NBAA convention, Pilatus had manufactured 470 PC-12s, of which 69 will be delivered in 2004. In 2003, sales of the PC-12 increased 35% over 2002.
The PC-12 has found a home with small commuter airlines. Some 50 PC-12s are operating with various Canadian commuter carriers, including Bearskin Airlines. Westward Airways, a fledgling Scottsbluff, Neb.-based carrier, recently acquired a PC-12 for scheduled intra- and inter-state commercial service. Native Alaskan carrier Iliamna Air Taxi also operates the PC-12 in Northern Alaska.
Aniello said the Swiss airframer does not expect to announce any major sales during the NBAA convention but will unveil an RVSM package for the PC-12.
