Get FinancingCivilian & Military Aircraft Maker Pilatus Makes History In The Mountains
Numerous aviation companies trace their origins to World War II, Pilatus Aircraft included. The Switzerland-based aircraft company initially performed maintenance and repair work for the Swiss Air Force. Within years, though, Pilatus began manufacturing its own aircraft, beginning with the SB-2 Pelican and later adding the PC-6 Porter passenger bush plane. Nearly 3,600 aircraft later, Pilatus continues outputting civilian and military single-engine turboprops and jets, including the turbine-powered PC-12 NG, a business variant of Pilatus’ best-selling PC-12 model, and the new PC-24 “Super Versatile Jet,” touted as the world’s first business jet to operate on short, unprepared runways.
Ascending The Mountain
Mountains play a substantial role in Pilatus’ identity, factoring into its name, location, design of its early aircraft, and more. As Pilatus describes, upon its 1939 founding in Stans, Switzerland, it took its name from Mount Pilatus, known as “dragon mountain” due to its “wild and fissured rocks.” Residing at Airport Buochs near the base of the mountain, Pilatus reportedly even initially considered building a portion of its factory inside the mountain.
Mountains also figure into Pilatus’ independent Pilatus Business Aircraft subsidiary founded in 1996 in Broomfield, Colorado, near the Rocky Mountains. The subsidiary completes the finishing work for most PC-12 aircraft manufactured in Switzerland and performs marketing, sales, and servicing duties for the PC-12 and PC-24 in North and South America.
Pilatus also established an independent subsidiary in Adelaide, Australia, in 1998 to perform similar duties in the Pacific region. In 2013, the company also established Pilatus Aircraft Industry in China to manufacturer the PC-6 and PC-12 via a partnership with Beijing Tian Xing Jian Yu Science. Overall, Pilatus claims more than 40 independent sales and service centers worldwide.
High Climbers
Based on its relationship with the Alps, it’s not surprising Pilatus developed the SB-2 Pelican in 1940 specifically to fly in mountain regions. Purported to be especially skilled at steep climbing and taking off on short fields, the five-seat SB-2 Pelican made its maiden flight in 1944. Although Pilatus only produced one production model, it carried out passenger and freight transportation, aerial photography, survey flights, and agriculture work.
Before turning its attention to the PC-6 Porter in the late 1950s, Pilatus produced a P-2 military trainer in the mid-1940s that stayed in production until 1981 and took the P-4 passenger/working aircraft on its maiden flight in 1948 (the model never entered production). In 1952, the company began work on the P-3 military trainer, delivering 84 models total.
The P-4 would set the stage for the PC-6 Porter, which Pilatus claims provided the company its “real breakthrough.” First flying in 1959, the all-metal civilian transporter gained attention for its durability, climbing abilities, and short takeoff and landing prowess. Such traits helped a PC-6 Porter model dubbed “Yeti” break a world record in 1960 by pulling off a glacier landing at 18,700-foot (5,700-meter) in the Himalayas while ferrying climbers and equipment to a base camp. After setting the record, however, the Yeti suffered an accident during takeoff. Pilatus says the Yeti’s remains still reside in the Himalayas.
A Super Jet Cometh
In addition to the PC-6, PC-12NG, and PC-24, Pilatus’ current aircraft include the PC-7 MkII, PC-9 M, and PC-21 military trainers. The turbine-powered PC-12 NG stems from the previous PC-12 business/passenger/cargo transport model that Pilatus began developing in 1987; the company has delivered 1,500-plus units globally since then. Able to use runaways 2,600 feet (792 meters) long or less at a maximum 10,495-pound (4,760-kilogram) takeoff weight, the PC-12 NG can land on grass, dirt, or gravel, giving it access to 21,300-plus runways around the world. Seating 10, the aircraft has a max range of 1,617 nautical miles (2,995 kilometers) with four passengers, a max payload of 2,257 pounds (1,024 kilograms), and a max altitude of 30,000 feet (9,144 meters). Pilatus reports it sold 91 PC-12 NGs in 2016.
With the 11-passenger PC-24 “Super Versatile Jet,” Pilatus is aiming to establish a new category of business aircraft that combines a medium light jet’s cabin size with a light jet’s performance. Similar to the PC-12 NG, “Switzerland’s first business jet ever” features an “off road-compatible” design that enables it to takeoff on runways less than 2,810 feet (856 meters) and land on unpaved surfaces, opening it up to 20,000-plus runways globally. First flying in 2015, the PC-24 obtained EASA and FAA certificates in December, and Pilatus reportedly has already taken 84 orders.
There are currently a number of Pilatus aircraft for sale on Controller.com, including P3-05, PC-12,