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2015-07-01

CRYSTAL CLEAR .. PC-24 - A class of its own

for some, Swiss mountain crystals are a symbol of strength and power. For others, their countless facets make them a symbol of variety and uniqueness. Crystal seekers from the Swiss Alps – called “Strahler” – discover the crystals only after tremendous effort and endurance.

Working high in the mountains, they must withstand every type of weather and bear any temperature before they can hold a crystal in their hands. The latest Pilatus aircraft is just as versatile, powerful, and extraordinary as a Swiss mountain crystal: The Pilatus PC-24.

Every crystal found in the mountains of Switzerland is entirely unique. Just as unique is the PC-24, the aircraft combining the versatility of a turboprop with the cabin size of a medium-light jet, and the performance of a light jet. It’s a plane that simply doesn’t fit into any of the existing business jet categories.

That’s why Pilatus had to create a new one: the Super Versatile Jet (SVJ) category. The PC-24 has been engineered to be “off-road” compatible from the beginning. Its outstanding short-field performance – even on unpaved runways – opens up an incredible level of mobility. With the PC-24, you will have access to almost 100 per cent more airports around the world.

Unpaved surfaces

Like crystals, runways around the world have innumerable facets. There are around 10,650 airports in the world that you can access with an aircraft able to operate on runways with a length of 3,130 feet (954 m). There are an additional 1,300 airports that become available when your aircraft needs only 2,690 feet (820 m). Of course, in both cases these runways will have to be paved.

Now let’s look at the number of runways around the world that offer a length of at least 2,690 feet (820 m) but feature unpaved surfaces – like grass, gravel, sand, or snow. The number is at least 21,000. So with the PC-24, you will have access to almost 100 per cent more airports around the world.

That means you can be closer to your final destination than with any other business jet. You’ll be able to use smaller airports and avoid massive administrative procedures, and reduce ground transfer time to an absolute minimum.

“No one will ever operate a multi-million-dollar aircraft on dirt strips.” Oh yes, we’ve heard that one over the years. In the meantime, a growing fleet of over 1,200 PC-12s has proven that statement false.

This fleet has accumulated over 4 million flight hours, including countless take-offs and landings in locations where “dirt strip” is a generous description of the available ground infrastructure.

The feedback of PC-12 owners operating under challenging conditions, and everything we learned from their previous experiences is now woven into the DNA of the PC-24.

Its outstanding short-field performance opens up an incredible level of mobility.

PC-12 owners know why rough and short-field capability is such an advantage. And soon PC-24 owners will know it too.

Cabin

Like a Penthouse on the 5000th Floor, the PC-24’s cabin volume tops business jets costing almost twice as much.

But while offering space is one thing, making intelligent use of it is quite another. The interior of the PC-24 has been designed from the outset for quick and easy reconfiguration – an option not found in many other business jets. Each enabling its addition or removal in just a few passenger seat features quick-change capability in minutes.

The aft partition is movable so you can easily enlarge the passenger cabin or increase. The baggage compartment volume for each and every flight. Being a Super Versatile Jet, the PC-24 will find popularity in a number of other roles – like cargo, medevac, commuter, or governmental special-mission applications, just to name a few.

Only the finest-quality materials have been used to create an interior that fits in perfectly with the latest standards of comfort and functionality. Every component is chosen to enhance the passenger experience: soft leathers and rare hardwood cabinetry full of exquisite details create a bespoke interior that reflects the meticulous purpose of the aircraft.

Generous cabin

Thirteen extra large cabin windows flood the interior of the PC-24 with bright, natural light. The generously sized cabin, with its continuous flat floor, allows for an exceptional amount of headroom for both passengers and crew.

It’s not first class traveling – it’s Crystal Class. The interior of the PC-24 has been designed from the outset for quick and easy reconfiguration. Each passenger seat features quick-change capability enabling its addition or removal in just a few minutes. The aft partition is movable so you can easily enlarge the passenger cabin or increase the baggage compartment volume for each and every flight.

All Pilatus aircraft are certified for single-pilot operation. And the PC-24 is no exception. The cockpit layout is efficient and intuitive. From the comfort of his 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. Simply put, the PC-24 is the perfect combination of single-pilot operational know-how, and state-of-the-art avionics technology.

The PC-24’s Advanced Cockpit Environment (ACE) sets the standard for high-tech simplicity. Pilatus ACE is so capable and offers such a wealth of functionality that in its most basic configuration it boasts the most intuitive and user-friendly cockpit concepts ever seen in business aviation. Four 12-inch screens ensure that all relevant information is displayed in the right place and with no delay.

The Inertial Reference System (IRS) guarantees excellent reliability and accuracy of altitude and navigation data. As standard equipment, the Pilatus ACE also includes a Synthetic Vision System, Autothrottle, Graphical Flight Planning, Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS II), and Localizer Performance with Vertical (LPV) guidance capability.

Pilatus ACE is developed in partnership with Honeywell, whose products have a proven track record in much larger aircraft.

Cargo

A jet so private, even the baggage has its own door. Every iconic product incorporates at least one hallmark feature that dramatically differentiates it from the competition. Introducing the world’s first business jet with a standard pallet-sized cargo door.

Its dimensions are simply outstanding, and its advantages are equally impressive. But the biggest door is useless when there is no space behind it. The volume of the PC-24’s baggage compartment surpasses what is available on aircraft costing millions more to buy and operate.

Your valuable belongings will always be carried in a heated and fully pressurized cabin section, which is accessible at any time during the fight. That’s how a business jet becomes a Super Versatile Jet. Some of the PC-12 customers have been known to take their motorbike with them. Now they can do that at jet speed.

PERFORMANCE

At Pilatus, the legacy of innovative and efficient technology is driven by the world around. To power the PC-24, Pilatus chose the Williams International FJ44-4A, a world-renowned power unit. It delivers ample power to support the PC-24’s excellent field performance and enables a direct climb to the PC-24’s operational ceiling.

But Pilatus wouldn’t be Pilatus if they simply settled there – they wanted to go further. Here’s another world premiere: the PC-24’s unique Quiet Power Mode provides quiet, economical energy to power electrical systems – including heating and air-conditioning – independent of any source of ground power. These innovations offer more operational flexibility and higher fuel efficiency. Or to put it simply: maximum versatility.

WHY OWN A PC-24?

• Can operate from runways as short as 2,690 feet (820 m).

• Can operate from paved and even unpaved surfaces – this gives access to more than 21,000 airports worldwide.

• Much cabin space at this price level.

• A capable standard cockpit environment at this price level.

•A generous cargo door that makes loading quick and easy.

•More operational flexibility and mobility.

•Comparable all-internal, pressurized and in-flight-accessible baggage compartment•

Photo credit: Platus

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