EASA and FAA certificates the Pilatus PC-24
Pilatus PC-24 HB-VSA
Pilatus has gained type certificates from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its first business jet.
The PC-24 development project was officially announced in 2013, but work on the Super Versatile Jet has actually been in progress for more than 11 years.
The first PC-24 prototype completed its maiden flight in May 2015. All three prototypes used in the certification programme have flown a total of 2,205 hours worldwide so far.
“The PC-24 is the first-ever Pilatus business jet. Naturally, the requirements associated with obtaining certification for this sort of aircraft are extremely rigorous, and I need hardly mention that we faced some big challenges.”
Oscar Schwenk, chairman of Pilatus, said: “The PC-24 is the first-ever Pilatus business jet. Naturally, the requirements associated with obtaining certification for this sort of aircraft are extremely rigorous, and I need hardly mention that we faced some big challenges.
“In 2013 we announced that the PC-24 would be ready in 2017, and now, shortly before the end of the year, we have achieved exactly that. And all performance data promised to our first 84 customers have been achieved or even exceeded. The PC-24 delivers a maximum speed of 440 knots (815 km/h) compared to the contractually-agreed 425 knots (787 km/h) – to cite just one example. That is pure Pilatus, and typical of the qualities which set us apart!”
Pilatus currently has eight PC-24s on the assembly line in Stans, with 23 deliveries to customers around the world planned throughout 2018.
The company has invested in the USA, which is an important market for the new business jet, and has a new completions and support centre. The interior design will be discussed with customers on site before implementation.
Schwenk added: “I’m extremely proud of my workforce, and would like to thank Pilatus owners, the two aviation authorities and our first 84 PC-24 customers for their trust and confidence in myself and my team. This project involved considerable risk, but we always believed 100% in our PC-24 and were prepared to go all the way to the limits of what we can reasonably do to ensure its success. Obtaining certification is our reward for so many years of untiring effort.”
The first PC-24 will be handed over to the American fractional aircraft ownership business PlaneSense in Stans this month. It will be flown to the USA in January 2018, for official delivery to the customer.
