Pilatus Starts Production of PC-24 Jets

Series production of the PC-24 twinjet is now under way at Pilatus Aircraft’s headquarters in Stans, Switzerland, as the company prepares to deliver the first customer aircraft in the fourth quarter following certification. The production status of the first few PC-24s is already “well advanced,” the company said, with the first production airplane already painted in its final livery. In January, PlaneSense was revealed as the launch customer for the twinjet.

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Meanwhile, the third PC-24 prototype (P03), which also represents the series standard, was publicly unveiled at the 2017 European Business Aviation Association's annual convention in Geneva. P03, which has been flying since March 6, has a “shimmering pearlescent” livery and executive “Zermatt” interior. On display next to the PC-24 is a full-size mock-up with the “Vail” style interior with a “flexible” six-plus-two seating configuration. Six interior color themes have been created in partnership with BMW Designworks and are named after well-known ski resorts.

With the addition of P03 in March, the PC-24 flight-test fleet is now complete. To date, the three prototypes have logged 950 flights and 1,525 hours. Further certification flights are in progress, Pilatus said, with PC-24 certification planned for the fourth quarter.

Pilatus stopped taking orders after signing sales contracts for the first 84 shortly after the program was announced in May 2013. The order book remains closed, but is due to reopen next year.

Final PC-24 performance data will be published after certification, according to the company. Pilatus said that the twinjet will exceed preliminary estimated performance numbers for cruise speed (425 knots), range (1,800 nautical miles) and runway performance.