Hans Erni creates artwork design for PC-12NG

Pilatus PC-12NG with Hans Erni exterior artwork

Hans Erni, a renowned Swiss artist, has created a hand-drawn design for the Pilatus PC-12NG to celebrate Pilatus Aircraft’s 75th anniversary since it was incorporated in Stans on 16 December 1939.

Erni was born on 21 February 1909 in Lucerne. The 105-year-old has created countless lithographs, over 300 posters and several murals for brands such as the Swiss Red Cross, the IOC, UNO, UNESCO and the ICAO. He also qualified as a private pilot in 1946.

The royal blue background of the PC-12 NG is decorated with white horses, doves of peace and a depiction of Pegasus, all drawn by Erni. The animals were chosen to symbolise the PC-12 NG’s credentials as a workhorse while also underlining its excellent flight characteristics.

Today, putting the finishing touch to his work, Erni added his signature and the date to the PC-12 NG’s engine cowling at his workshop in Lucerne,ensuring that the aircraft – series number 1515 – remains unique.

Oscar Schwenk, chairman of the Board of Directors of Pilatus, presented Hans Erni with a model of the PC-12 as a souvenir of his work.

Erni said: “I’ve been lucky enough to have worked on many exceptional things in my life – but never yet on such a fantastic aircraft. I’m proud to think that my drawings are now destined to fly around the world.”

Schwenk spoke about the aircraft: “This is the first time that such a well-known artist has been involved with the design of one of our aircraft. This aircraft is symbolic of an innovative Swiss company: Pilatus. We are proud that the name Hans Erni will be associated with our aircraft on its demo assignments in 2015, delighting our customers and fans on every continent.”

“On behalf of Pilatus, I would like to express my warm thanks to Hans Erni for his work, and for this wonderful result,” added Schwenk.

The “Hans Erni PC-12” will be on display at numerous air shows and conventions in 2015, including EBACE in Geneva, Aero Expo in Friedrichshafen, JetExpo in Moscow and the Paris Air Show.