Pilatus PC-12's Utility Apparent in Niche Markets

The Pilatus PC-12 is achieving a new level of success because of its ability to handle high, hot and often unimproved airports with an ease that is likely to be disturbing to the makers of multi-engine utility aircraft. The recent FAA ruling on single-engine IFR has suddenly transformed the interesting airplane into a serious contender for niche and mainstream markets that previously required multi-engine aircraft.

Pilatus has sold 50 PC-12s in the last calendar year, and production is expected to keep up with the demand. Although officials hint that financing is ready to expand the company's production rate to meet rising demand, they are no doubt carefully watching the current turmoil in the financial industry before committing to an expansion.

The company has meanwhile established a worldwide network of service centers, and is developing a parts support network that indicates its confidence that the PC-12 will become known as a workhorse in all corners of the globe.

To underscore its confidence in the PC-12, the company said Sunday that it's broadened its airframe warranty to seven years or 5,000 hours. The proven reliability of the PC-12's Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67B engine and relatively low DOCs, combined with a pressurized cabin, have made the airplane a serious candidate for a variety of operators.

The newest and largest segment for PC-12 sales has been air ambulance providers, including such operators as Air Life of Oregon, based in Bend, OR, and Native American Air Ambulance, in Mesa, AZ.

Second- and third-tier regional airline operators in the United States and Canada are finding the PC-12 an economical and rugged aircraft for their operations, too. In Canada, following the lead of Kelner Airways, the first air carrier to purchase PC-12s, Thunder Air has taken two, followed by Bearskin Airlines with four aircraft. In the U.S., Ukiah, CA-based Community Air plans to purchase a fleet of 32 PC-12s over the next five years to serve the air travel needs of rural northern California.

In another application, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police recently purchased a second PC-12 to replace the agency's King Air.

Thunder Airlines president Ken Bittle described his view of the PC-12 in his company's fleet by saying, "This aircraft combines all the advantages of a corporate jet while still being able to operate in and out of all the airstrips in [Canada]. We are very excited . . . to put this aircraft to work in Thunder Bay."

Pilatus hasn't overlooked the possibility of corporate use of the PC-12 for executive transport. The aircraft being displayed at the Pilatus exhibit at Booth 5069 is fitted out with a surprisingly roomy executive interior.

By Mal Gormley