Pilatus is planning to take the wraps off its PC-24 twin-engined business jet on 21 May at the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition. The announcement comes less than a year after the company's board of directors gave the go-ahead to develop what it calls "the biggest, fastest and most complex aircraft that Pilatus has ever built".
Although the Stans, Switzerland-based airframer has kept a tight lid on the programme, Flightglobal understands it will seat up to eight passengers, be powered by Williams FJ44 engines and feature a cargo door.
The PC-24 is Pilatus's only jet aircraft offering and will join the PC-12NG in the Pilatus business aircraft stable. The single-engined turboprop was introduced in 2008 as the latest incarnation of the 19-year-old PC-12 and features Honeywell's Primus Apex avionics and the more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67P engine. According to Flightglobal's Ascend Online database the global PC-12 fleet totals over 1,150 aircraft, more than 80% of which are used for business or owner flyer operations.
Source: Flight International
