News

2023-11-10

Pilatus PC-24 Gets More Range, Payload and Amenities

Swiss aerospace and defence company, Pilatus, has announced a new version of its PC-24 Super Versatile Jet with increased payload and range, as well as a number of new interior amenities.

The new PC-24 will be able to fly 2,000 nautical miles (3,704 kilometres) with six passengers on board, and its maximum payload capacity has been increased by 600 pounds (272 kg).

This enables operators to increase the PC-24’s maximum range by 200 nm (370 km) with six passengers on board.

The jet now offers a full fuel payload of a pilot plus 1,315 pounds (596 kg), and features a class-leading maximum payload capacity of 3,100 pounds (1,406 kg).

The new PC-24 will also feature a number of new interior enhancements, including a large side-facing divan that can be converted into a bed.

Deliveries of the new PC-24 are scheduled to begin in 2024.

Bruno Cervia, Vice President of Engineering for Pilatus, explained: “The payload increase was achieved by refining both wing and fuselage structural elements to reduce the airframe empty weight while simultaneously increasing the maximum gross take-off weight limit. It’s simply Swiss engineering at its best.”

Extensive Flight Test

Pilatus engineers performed an extensive flight test campaign to broaden the aircraft’s operational capabilities at higher design weights. The Jet can take off at its maximum weight, requiring just 3,090 feet (941 metres) of runway at sea level, making it suitable for short and even unpaved runways.

Boasting the largest cabin volume in its class, the new interior has received several enhancements aimed at elevating the overall passenger flight experience.

Ambient sound levels have been reduced through optimisation of passenger service unit ducting, noise absorbing panels, and tuned engine accessory air intake ducts. Cabinetry, storage areas, and the Welcome Centre have all been refined to optimise the vast amount of space in the jet’s cabin.

Pilatus partnered with Lufthansa Technik to incorporate a new integrated Cabin Management System (iCMS) featuring a 10” touch screen controller with 3D moving map, four high fidelity cabin speakers with a sub-woofer option, mood lighting, Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports, and a media storage server.

In a first for this class of business aircraft, Pilatus is offering the option of a large side-facing divan that is 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) in length, and can be converted into a bed in flight.

Predictive Services

Starting from serial number 501, every PC-24 will come equipped with an innovative feature that facilitates predictive services.

This feature enables automated transmission of essential aircraft data to Pilatus immediately upon landing. The data is then thoroughly analysed, and if required, predictive recommendations are generated for the operator.

CEO Markus Bucher elaborated: “More range, greater payload, enhanced comfort and increased operability were the primary focus of this major PC-24 improvement programme. The PC-24 upgrade includes over 1,000 modifications throughout the aircraft. We went all the way to the limits of what is possible, making maximum use of our engineering capabilities to deliver the best PC-24 ever. With this upgrade, there is simply no other business jet on the market capable of consistently performing like our Super Versatile Jet.”

Single Pilot

All Pilatus aircraft are certified for single-pilot operation. And the PC-24 is no exception to this rule. The cockpit layout is efficient and intuitive. From the comfort of his or her seat, the pilot finds an environment that has been designed specifically to reduce workload and improve safety while providing full situational awareness under all circumstances. And of course the PC-24 can also be flown by two pilots.

The Jet’s Advanced Cockpit Environment (ACE) sets the standard for high-tech simplicity. ACE’s basic configuration offers user-friendliness with four 12-inch screens for instant, precise data.

The Inertial Reference System (IRS) ensures reliability and accuracy in altitude and navigation.

ACE features a Synthetic Vision System, Autothrottle, Graphical Flight Planning, Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS II), and Localiser Performance with Vertical (LPV) guidance capability setting new standards.

The first new PC-24, which showcased the new convertible divan, was on static display at the National Business Aviation Association’s Annual Convention in Las Vegas on October 17-19 .

Comments () Views (6480 ) Print

Send To Friend