Pilatus PC-12 Eagle

Summary

Description

In October 1989, Pilatus announced the development of the PC-12 at the annual convention of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). Prior to this announcement, the project had been underway in secrecy for some time, with assembly of the first prototype already started. Pilatus anticipated that the PC-12 would fill a market niche not currently served, becoming the first single-engine aircraft with a large cabin capable of high-speed, long-distance flight. The two prototypes were completed on 1 May 1991, and the first flight took place on 31 May 1991. Swiss certification was initially planned for mid-1991, but a redesign of the wings, which included increasing the wingspan and adding winglets to ensure performance targets were met, caused delays. The Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation issued the type certificate for the PC-12 on 30 March 1994, followed by approval from the Federal Aviation Administration in the U.S. on 15 July 1994.

The PC-12 was conceived as a high-performance utility aircraft, uniquely designed with a large aft cargo door in addition to the main passenger door to enhance its versatility. The cabin can be configured to accommodate up to nine passengers, executive arrangements, a four-seat passenger-cargo combi layout, or an air ambulance setup. The interior incorporates leather, wood veneers, and textiles. Safety measures include the Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67 engine, dual angle-of-attack sensors to prevent stalls, and a split-bus dual electrical system with redundant batteries. The aircraft is certified for flight into known icing conditions, featuring pneumatic deicing systems on the wings and empennage, electrical deicing for the windshield, and exhaust heat for engine intake deicing. The flight deck of the PC-12 NG is equipped with the Honeywell Primus Apex avionics system, featuring four 10-inch, high-resolution LCD screens, including primary flight displays and multifunction displays.

Early sales of the PC-12 went principally to utility operators, with the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia becoming the launch customer in 1994, operating 32 PC-12s to deliver medical services in remote areas. The U.S. Air Force utilizes a variant, designated as the U-28A Draco, for intratheater support of special operations forces, performing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, operated by multiple special operations squadrons. This variant facilitates support for operations like search and rescue and humanitarian relief. The Finnish Air Force selected the PC-12 NG in 2009 to replace older liaison aircraft. While the primary role of the PC-12 is passenger or cargo transport, some variants have been adapted for specialized missions. Notably, the PC-12M Spectre is marketed as a paramilitary special-missions platform, capable of aerial surveillance and configurable to support various operational requirements.

Main Variants:

• PC-12/41: The original production variant, certified in Switzerland in 1994, featuring a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67B engine and a conventional round-dial cockpit.

• PC-12/45: Certified in 1996, this variant features a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67B engine, with its maximum takeoff weight increased to 4,500 kg (9,921 lb).

• PC-12/47: Certified in 2005, this variant features a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67B engine, with its maximum takeoff weight increased to 4,740 kg (10,450 lb).

• PC-12/47E: Certified in 2008, this variant has upgraded Honeywell avionics and a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67P engine and is also known by its trade name PC-12 NG (Next Generation).

• PC-12NGX: Announced at the October 2019 NBAA convention, it is a PC-12/47E variant with a PT6E-67XP engine with FADEC and autothrottle, larger windows, a redesigned interior, and updated Honeywell avionics.

Technical specifications

Current operating countries

Country		Units
	United States	35
	Finland	6
	Ireland	4
	Bulgaria	1
	South Africa	1

Numbers in parentheses, e.g. '(+5)', indicate units ordered but not yet delivered.

All operators

Bulgaria • Switzerland • Finland • Ireland • United States • South Africa