“Exceeds expectations everywhere. Pilatus PC-12NG has earned a reputation for its versatility, performance and reliability. Today it is one of the most popular business-class turboprop aircraft on the market,” the Swiss Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. is positioning the latest generation of PC-12.
Pilatus PC-12 after takeoff in Ufa
Almost a quarter of a century ago, a car appeared, without which today it is difficult to imagine operators of corporate and VIP transportation, air ambulance, small airlines and even government agencies. Initially, it was assumed that the model will occupy a niche in the corporate market. Market research conducted in the 1980s showed that potential demand for aircraft of this class could be 25 units per year, with orders coming mainly from cargo operators, air ambulance services and small charter carriers. However, over time, it began to operate on regional airlines. Now, the aircraft is used to perform the functions of an air command post, conduct electronic warfare, patrol borders, fight against drug trafficking, drop paratroopers and provide assistance to victims of natural disasters. 1300 RS-12s were delivered to customers, and most of the fleet is still “on the wing”.
Pilatus PC-12 in 2001 became the best in the class according to Forbes. He was named the favorite airplane of Silicon Valley businessmen. In fact, the Pilatus PC-12 is a multifunctional transport platform with a spacious pressurized cab (9.34 cubic meters) and a cargo hatch opening up to 1.32x1.35 m in size. The model provides customers with an ideal balance of capabilities. The cabin with a flat floor can be installed up to nine passenger seats. The VIP version is designed for six people. A combined layout for four passengers and 5.94 cubic meters of cargo is possible. In the medical version, the aircraft can carry up to three patients on a stretcher.
The model, operating since 1994, has been modified several times. A total of 12 episodes have been released. In 2008, the RS-12 underwent a deep modernization of the electrical system, engine replacement, received new winglets and the modern name PC12NG. All PC12s, starting with serial number 1000, are equipped with the new, more powerful Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67P engine. The increase in engine power has greatly simplified take-off from mountain airfields and flight through mountain ranges in hot weather. This added to the comfort of passengers, as the aircraft passes the turbulence zone faster. Climbing time of 9.1 km is 27 minutes, which is 7 minutes faster than the previous version. PC-12NG is capable of transporting three passengers at a distance of 2,889 km with the required air navigation fuel supply.
The PC-12NG was the world's first single-engine turboprop aircraft with a dual-bus power system and the first production aircraft with a fully integrated Honeywell Primus Apex avionics system with widescreen multi-function displays. According to Pilatus, this instrumentation is much easier to learn and use than many competing products. All aircraft equipment, including electric heaters and an evaporative cycle air conditioning system, is capable of operating from an airfield power source. The aircraft is certified for instrument flight with one pilot on board.
Thanks to the powerful chassis with half-racks, the PC-12 can perform soft landings on unequipped and unpaved airfields. The aircraft is characterized by the presence of a high temperature range of operation (from -55 to +50 degrees C), which makes it attractive to operators around the world.
He is the most expensive of single-engine turboprop models. Its price is 20% higher than the twin-engine King Air C90GT. The base cost of the Pilatus PC-12NG is $ 3.85 million, and the typical cost with additional equipment is around $ 4.4-4.7 million. For this money, the buyer receives the most spacious cabin in the class. Only the King Air 350, which costs $ 5.5 million, has a 10% more cab volume.
The client also receives the largest maximum permissible payload (1,500 kg), the highest flight range with maximum load (2,804 km with nine passengers on board), as well as the highest load at full refueling (539 kg). In addition, the PC-12NG boasts the longest flight range with fully filled tanks (4,149 km) compared to any of its competitors.
Pilatus PC-12 lands in Ufa
The PC-12NG is economical: when flying at a range of 1,100 km, fuel consumption will be about a third less than that of the King Air B200GT. The flight will be longer by approximately 10 minutes due to the lower cruising speed of the PC-12NG, which averages 470-500 km / h. The TBM-850 is also faster, more economical, but much inferior in payload, and a Meridian with a full refueling can carry only two passengers with small baggage. The direct operating costs of the RS-12NG are in the range of $ 668 per hour. For TVM 850, this figure is $ 488. Smaller, but the maximum payload mass of Pilatus is almost 2.5 times greater.
This aircraft is not expensive. The design life of the airframe is 20 thousand hours or 27 thousand cycles with periodic maintenance every 100 hours. Schedules are provided (once a year, once every two years and once every three years), as well as undocking the fuselage with the wing once every 10 years from fluoroscopy of the docking nodes. The engine’s overhaul life is 3500 hours. The overhaul cost can reach $ 360 thousand, which is not so cheap for a single-engine aircraft. At the same time, the average time between failures of the PC-12 engine significantly exceeds 200 thousand flight hours.
The high reliability of the RS-12 is evidenced by the fact that for more than 20 years of operation, only 36 flight incidents were recorded. True, 16 of them were associated with human casualties. Research conducted by security experts at Robert E. Breiling Associates, Inc. in 2012 confirmed that the accident rate of the RS-12 is half the average in the twin-engine turboprop sector and significantly lower than that of single-engine competitors. And this is with the rapidly increasing park raid. The total raid of almost 1300 operating PC-12s in 2015 exceeded 5 million hours. As representatives of Pilatus note, the total flying time of the park adds a million hours every two years. The largest annual raid (24,000 h) was recorded by the aircraft used as an air ambulance by the Canadian company Air Bravo.
Pilatus PC-12 lands in Ufa
The first operator of the PC-12 aircraft was the Australian The Royal Flying Doctor Service, which began flights in 1994. In 2011, the company's aircraft completed 250 thousand flights, flying a little less than 240 thousand hours, in 2015, its fleet reached 36 aircraft of this type, the number of flights exceeded 320 thousand, and the flight approached 315 thousand hours. Most of the flights were carried out in a desert area, night flights and landing on highways became everyday practice.
The American company PlaneSense, which offers rental services and shared ownership of aircraft, has 50 machines and is the largest commercial operator of this type in the world. In September 1995, she received her first aircraft, which had serial number 20, and in August 2013, the 1200th PC-12 was delivered to her.
In the United States, the aircraft under the designation U-28A is used by special forces. It is also exploited by the military of Switzerland, Bulgaria, Finland and South Africa. It is in service with the police forces of Argentina, Canada and Australia.
Currently, 13 RS-12s are flying in Russia. The largest operator is Avia Management Group CJSC, which has 10 machines. The company is very pleased with the RS-12, the first of which they received in 2008. Over the entire period of operation, no serious problems have been identified. At the same time, the aircraft operated flights in various climatic conditions. Dexter Airlines, one of the three largest type operators in Europe and participating in the implementation of the state program for subsidizing regional air transportation, uses the RS-12 as an air taxi and also operates regular and medical flights. Two PC-12/47 with a six-seater VIP cabin are listed in the park of the Yekaterinburg charter airline Uktus.
Official Representative of Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. appeared in Russia only in 2015. Nesterov Aviation exclusively promotes the PC-12NG to the local market, while the PC-6 remains out of the company's attention. According to Evgeny Okladnikov, CEO of Nesterov Aviation, his company expects to transfer the first aircraft to the customer before the end of this year, and in the future plans to supply 1-2 aircraft to private and corporate clients. At the same time, according to him, the state aviation market has great potential: the PC-12 has no equal as a platform for creating special-purpose aircraft. The creation of a service center will contribute to the growth in the number of orders. The region of its location has not yet been determined, but E. Okladnikov does not exclude that this will be the North-West of the country.
Pilatus PC-12 lands in Ufa
here is such an air gazelle, that pilatus.
Fred george
What changes has the Pilatus PC-12 aircraft undergone in 12 years of its development! A variant of this aircraft of the latest tenth series received a certificate of the type of the US Federal Aviation Administration in December 2005. Its maximum take-off weight is 4700 kg, which makes it possible to transport 7 passengers with a full refueling of fuel tanks. to a distance of 2685 km and land with a reserve of fuel that meets the requirements of the rules of the National Association of Business Aviation of the United States regarding instrument flights. This is a significant expansion of aircraft capabilities. When a few years ago we first flew to the PC-12, we liked the spacious comfortable cabin and the short lengths of the required take-off and landing distances. But the relatively small maximum take-off weight of 4100 kg posed a dilemma for operators: either you completely fill the fuel tanks or the seats of the passenger compartment. On the PC-12/45 aircraft, certified in 1996, this problem was not so acute due to the increase in the maximum take-off weight to 4,500 kg, although the aircraft could carry only three passengers with full tanks. And now, on the new PC-12/47 modification, you can completely fill both the tanks and the interior.
Employees at Pilatus Business Aircraft, located in Broomfield, pc. Colorado, invited us to take a flight on a new 10-series plane before sending it from San Diego to Kyoto, the capital of Ecuador. This aircraft, with flight number 591, intended for demonstration flights, was to accompany PC-12/45, owned by Ambassador Ted Guildred. The ambassador intended to fly his own plane on this route to mark the 75th anniversary of the “Goodwill Mission” in Ecuador. Since we had before this the opportunity to fly for a while on the Guildred plane with his chief pilot Brian Shaul, we were well prepared to note the differences between the two PC-12 models.
During a pre-flight inspection at Montgomery Aerodrome, Eric Corpato, who is responsible for the demonstration flights, chief pilot of the Pilatus Business Aircraft, showed us the differences between the two machines, visible from the outside. For aircraft of the series 10, the wing end surfaces are redone. The radius of their junction with the wing became larger, which led to some increase in scope. Completely redesigned ailerons. A servo wheel appeared on each of them. T-shaped channels removed from the leading edges of the ailerons. The left aileron servo can also act as a trimmer. As a result of these changes, the roll handling characteristics remained the same, and the steering effort decreased by two-thirds.
The incandescent lamps of the wing and tail navigation lights were replaced by LEDs, which made it possible to increase their life from 5 to 10 thousand hours. The new elongated conical fairing of the keel provides a smoother flow of vertical tail around the air stream.
What has not changed is the built-in remote sensor for measuring the oil level with the output of indications to the instruments of the engine parameter display system in the cockpit. Due to this, there is no need to remove the dipstick to check the oil level during the pre-flight inspection. This PC-12 design, convenient for the pilot, is used on very few aircraft of other companies equipped with turboprop engines.
Climbing aboard, we saw that the passenger compartment was practically unchanged. But in the cockpit there were a number of differences. It now has comfortable Ipeco pilot seats with adjustable seat height, seat tilt and backrest. In order to more conveniently coordinate actions when flying with two pilots, the upper control panel has been redone. The switches of the anti-icing system, external lighting equipment, fuel pump, ignition and engine start were moved here from the side panels or from the dashboard. On the right side of the dashboard, air conditioning circuit breakers were also transferred to the upper console. There are now also lighting switches, warning shaking systems for the steering column and fire alarm system checks, which were previously on the left armrests. A digital current and voltage indicator is also located on the top console.
Honeywell's KLN90B satellite navigation system is standard on the aircraft, although most customers prefer the Garmin GNS530 / 430 instrument cluster. The standard set of equipment also includes the Honeywell KMD850 multi-function indicator and an advanced ground hazard warning system (EGPWS). The plane we flew on is equipped with a collision avoidance system in the air (TCAS), which can be installed at the request of the customer. In the crowded airspace of Southern California, it is not superfluous.
Despite an increase of 600 kg in maximum take-off weight, the characteristics of the power plant remain the same. Therefore, the required lengths of take-off and landing distances have become 20% greater compared to the original version of the aircraft. The PC-12/47 now needs longer runways than its closest rival King Air B200 from Raytheon. But the passenger compartment PC-12/47 is more spacious. The new version of the aircraft can carry more passengers and at a greater distance than the B200.
An important advantage of the PC-12/47 compared to competitors, including the B200, is the presence of a large cargo door in the standard configuration of the aircraft, located on the port side in the rear of the fuselage. It makes it possible to quickly and easily load luggage and other goods. At the same time, passengers can board and drop off through the front door simultaneously with loading and unloading luggage through the rear cargo door.
We took the pilot seats (Eric Corpato on the right), buckled up and calculated the take-off characteristics. With a weight of 3600 kg, an outdoor temperature of 20 ° C, an airfield height of 130 m above sea level and a flap position of 15 °, the take-off distance required by us for an obstacle clearance of 15 m was only 442 m. 130 and 160 km / h. We intended to remove the flaps at a speed of 185 km / h, then accelerate to 220 km / h and begin to climb.
\u003e Our flight plan, drawn up in accordance with instrument flight rules, included checking the cruising characteristics of the aircraft at level 250 (7.6 km altitude) in the area above the Imperial Valley, assessing the flight characteristics, then returning to Montgomery airfield and performing typical takeoffs and landings .
The procedure for starting the PC-12 engine is simple. The noise in the cab is not very strong, but still with the standard Bose Series X headset on your head you feel much more comfortable. We entered the flight plan into the satellite navigation system, recorded a message from the airport information service and steered to the 28R lane for departure.
With light weight, the thrust needed to get started is small. To maintain the speed of taxiing small gas is more than enough. Standard carbon brakes provide smooth braking, while steering the A-pillar with the rudder provides ample room for most of the necessary maneuvers. Separate braking of the wheels and a sharp movement of the engine control handle (ORE) allow you to make sharp turns. When taxiing in a confined space, the pilot quickly gets used to the wingspan of the PC-12, which is 16.3 m. This is only 30 cm less than the B200.
The PC-12 is equipped with an automatic engine torque limiting system, which, theoretically, allows the pilot to take the throttle to the stop during take-off. But Eric Korpato warned us against this and advised to manually set the take-off power corresponding to the oil pressure limit of 3.1 kg / cm2, since a failure of the automatic system can lead to the need for expensive repair of the engine or gearbox. After take-off, it is necessary to reduce the torque to a level at which the pressure is 2.6 kg / cm2, which corresponds to a maximum continuous power of 1000 liters. from. To maintain the torque during the set, you need to move the throttle up to a height of up to 3 km. At the same time, the engine reaches the maximum recommended temperature in the turbine (ITT), equal to 720 ° C. In order not to exceed this restriction, with further recruitment, the ore should be gradually returned. In our opinion, the engine could work with a digital electronic full-mode control system (FADEC).
Immediately after takeoff, it became clear that flying on a PC-12/47 with manual control was much more pleasant than on previous versions of this aircraft. With pitch control, effort is easily measured. The effort required to control the roll, also selected very well. On older versions, deflecting the ailerons was noticeably harder. The reaction of the new aircraft to the deviation of the controls is very similar to the reaction of the Beech classic turboprop aircraft, and even, perhaps, is distinguished by its greater ease of movement.
At echelon 250, to test cruising performance, we turned on the autopilot. The flight took place under conditions corresponding to ISA + 3 ° C, at a true speed of 493 km / h. Fuel consumption was 172 kg / h, which actually coincided with the data on cruising characteristics given in the Flight Manual. According to the chief pilot, the installation of new wing end surfaces, ailerons, and an extended keel fairing had practically no effect on cruising characteristics.
Returning to the Montgomery airfield, we abandoned the instrument flight plan and, having descended to an altitude of 5500 m, switched to visual flight. Arriving at the airport, we performed several landing approaches in the northern part of the airfield with touching the 28R strip and the subsequent take-off. The overview of the right hemisphere during visual flight and performing these maneuvers on the PC-12 is not very good. We were glad that Eric Corpato was with us, who could monitor the air situation.
The aerobatic performance of the PC-12 is excellent. It was very easy to maintain a distance in relation to other aircraft performing visual flights. The plane perfectly reacted to the slightest movements of the controls. Eric Corpato noted that on a new aircraft, one does not need to calculate the Vref approach speed, it is enough to withstand the angle of attack indicated on the electronic command horizon indicator (EADI). When flying on other planes, we are accustomed to holding the hand of the usual indicator of the angle of attack in the "three o'clock" position. But on the Honeywell electronic PC-12 indicator, small angles of attack are indicated at the end of the scale corresponding to low speeds, and vice versa. Such an opposite view of data generally requires a certain habit. However, soon we were able to quite accurately withstand an instrument speed of 130 km / h with a flap deflection angle of 40 °. Starting the thrust discharge at a height of 15 m, we made several rather soft landings, mainly due to the long travel of the main landing gear strut with a rear strut. The last landing was performed with a short mileage - they pressed the brakes all the way and turned on the maximum reverse thrust. The mileage turned out to be less than 250 m. However, while trying to change the braking torque, we heard several times how completely braked wheels screeched due to the sliding of the low-pressure tire over the surface of the runway.
The latest version of the PC-12 has the best operational and aerobatic characteristics compared to its predecessors. But the company Pilatus is not going to stop there. Its leaders are still silent about the nature of further modernization of the aircraft as a whole, although they have stated that work is already underway to improve the engine and avionics. New versions will continue to be equipped with one turboprop engine, but probably more power. According to Pilatus Business Aircraft, a Pratt & Whitney Canada engine's PT6A-67B engine reliability rating is currently better than one failure per 200,000 flight hours. Such high reliability is a sufficient basis for maintaining a single-engine layout.
The sale of the new PC-12 is quite brisk. This year, the number of aircraft to be manufactured in accordance with the orders received reached 600. Last year, 80 aircraft were delivered. Second-hand PC-12 sales are also impressive. Rarely, there are times when more than 6-7 cars are offered at the same time. And all of them are resold at a price higher than the original.
Future enhancements to the PC-12 promise good prospects for this aircraft. If the current trend continues, in the next decade the number of deliveries will reach 1000.
General description of the aircraft Pilatus PC12
The Swiss company Pilatus Aircraft Ltd, located in a narrow valley sandwiched among the mountains, in the picturesque town of Stans, is most likely named after the local Pilatus mountain in the bowels of which the dragon lived. The company has a long history of aircraft manufacturing, the beginning of which goes back to 1939, when no one could suspect that a small company would become a world leader in the production market and it was important to sell single-engine turboprop aircraft. The Pilatus PC-12 turboprop aircraft, first introduced in 1992, and certified in 1994, was modified several times (namely, 12 series) and has the main popular models 12/45 and 12/47, after which in 2007-08 it underwent more The PC12 / 47E index, or the PC12NG marketing name (NG stands for Next Generation - “new generation”) received a deep refinement of the electrical system and replacing the engine with a more powerful one. In 2008, the new-generation PC-12 NG turboprop aircraft was certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the United States Federal Aviation Agency (FAA). All Pilatus PC12 aircraft with a serial number starting with No. 1000 are equipped with a new engine and a “glass” cockpit, the distinguishing feature of which, compared to its predecessor, is the fully integrated Honeywell Primus Apex avionics system, the design and ergonomics of the cockpit were developed by BMW DesignworksUSA for a long time working with Pilatus Aircraft in the development of the passenger compartment for the PC12. The aircraft received a 7% more powerful power plant PT6A-67P, manufactured by the Canadian company Pratt & Whitney with single-crystal gas generator blades and a second electric generator that increases the reliability of the aircraft's electrical network.
Pilatus PC-12 NG combines the excellent qualities of this type of aircraft, such as: economy, reliability, safety and multifunctionality, for which the aircraft can be called the “Swiss Army Knife”.
The base cost of the Pilatus PC12NG is $ 3,850,000.
Typical cost with optional equipment is 4.4-4.7 million USD.
Take advantage of the opportunity to purchase a Pilatus PC12 plane at a preferential customs rate of 0% approved by the Decree of the EURASIAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF THE INTERSTATE COUNCIL (THE HIGHEST AUTHORITY OF THE CUSTOMS UNION) Minsk “On the Unified Customs Tariff Regulation of the Customs Union of the Republic of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kazakhstan On January 1, 2010, the rates of duties established by the Unified Tariff of the Customs Union are applied in the Russian Federation. In accordance with this Tariff, the following aircraft are imported duty-free to Russia: CODE TN VED 8802 30 000 2.
You pay only VAT!
Our director, Viktor Borisovich Kuklyaev, has long been the Head of the Representative Office of the company representing Pilatus Aicraft in Russia and the CIS and being in this position certified this type, advertised and promoted, and also sold in Russia 11 new aircraft Pilatus PC12 of all modifications and therefore If you are interested in buying a new Pilatus PC12NG aircraft, you can contact us at the contacts listed below, since no one except us knows this aircraft better.
Financing or leasing of aircraft in Russia is carried out by such companies as Sberbank Leasing and RB Leasing.
If you are interested in buying a Pilatus PC12, PC12 / 45, PC12 / 47 or PC12 / 47NG aircraft from the secondary market, we can find you a suitable and profitable purchase option, or you can choose from the ones already presented on the page.
| Flight performance: | Pilatus PC-12 NG (Switzerland) | |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft length | 14.40 m. | 47 ft 3 in |
| Wingspan | 16.23 m. | 53 ft 3 in |
| Aircraft height | 4.26 m. | 14 ft 0 in |
| Wing area | 25.81 m² | 277.8 ft ² |
| Number of engines | 1 Turboprop | |
| Engine model | PT6A-67B | |
| Engine manufacturer | Pratt & whitney canada | |
| Engine power | 895 kW | 1 200 shp |
| Air propeller | Hartzell HC-E4A-3D / E10477K-4 blade aluminum | |
| Propeller diameter | 2.67 m. | 8 ft 9 in |
| Range - 9 Pax - 0 Pax |
2 804 km. 4,149 km. |
1,753 mi / 1,513 nm 2 593 mi / 2 239 nm |
| Takeoff distance | 701 m. | 2,300 ft |
| Roll out | 558 m. | 1 830 ft |
| Maximum cruising speed | 519 km / h | |
| Cruising speed | 500 km / h | 312.5 mph / 270 KTAS |
| Maximum flight altitude | 9 144 m. | 30,000 ft |
| Climbing by the ground | 512 m / min. | 1,680 ft / min | 174.3 kg./m. ² | 35.7 lb / ft ² |
| Weight characteristics | ||
| Dry weight | 2 761 kg. | 5 867 lb |
| Full load weight | 4 700 kg. | 10 450 lb |
| Maximum take-off weight | 4 740 kg. | 10 450 lb | 539 kg. | 1,189 lb | 1,500 kg. | 3 502 lb |
| Layout Specifications | ||
| Crew | 1 – 2 | |
| Maximum number of passengers | 9 in standard conf., 6-8 in VIP with toilet | |
| Interior volume | 9.34 m³ | |
| Interior dimensions, Length - Width - Height | 5.16 - 1.53 - 1.47 m. | |
| general information | ||
| Year of operation | july 2008 | |
| Certifications | EASA, FAA, MAK (ST235-RS-12; from 09.27.04) | |
| Airborne Radio Navigation Equipment | Honeywell Primus APEX (PC-12NG) | |
PC12 Digital Airplane Flight Manual
Pilatus Aircraft released the PC12 Digital Airplane Flight Manual for the iPad and IPhone, which was a continuation of the Palm PDA program, widely known among North American pilots. The application contains a lot of updates and very convenient calculators for calculating aircraft alignment, take-off and run lengths, as well as calculating all kinds of engine settings for optimal conditions during a cruise flight.
Pilatus PC-12 is a single-engine turboprop aircraft. Available in passenger and cargo versions by the Swiss company Pilatus. It is mainly used by regional air carriers.
Development
In October 1989, a conference was held by the National Association of Business Aviation. During this event, a representative of Pilatus announced the construction of the PC-12. Note that work began even before this announcement. They were conducted in an atmosphere of strict secrecy. The company was confident that the PC-12 would open a new market in the field of air transportation and would be able to cover long distances in a short time. Two prototypes were built on May 31, 1991. Certification by the Swiss aviation authorities was planned for mid-1991, however, the need to change the design of the wing (increasing scope and adding wingtips) delayed the start of this procedure. On March 30, 1994, the Swiss Federal Aviation Administration issued a certificate for PC-12. On July 15 of the same year, the aircraft completed certification through the Federal Aviation Agency (SSA).
Since the start of operation of the PC-12, its design has been constantly amended, new options added. These changes, in particular, include the following: increasing the maximum take-off weight, equipping engines with higher power, installing new aviation and electronic equipment, installing new propellers, reducing noise in the cabin, increasing speed and flight distance, making changes to the interior of the cabin.
In 2006, at a conference of the National Business Aviation Association, a Pilatus representative announced the construction of the P-12NG. This aircraft, in comparison with its predecessor, was equipped with a more powerful Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67P engine. Climbing characteristics have improved. Cruising speed increased to 280 knots. The cockpit is equipped with the Honeywell Primus Apex glass cockpit avionics. Changes were made to the wingtips. Within two years of the construction of the P-12NG, two hundred orders were received. The first P-12NG was delivered to the customer in May 2008.
PC-12M (multi-purpose) was built on the basis of PC12NG. It was equipped with a more powerful power generation system. This made it possible to equip the aircraft with additional electricity-consuming equipment. The aircraft was able to perform such flight tasks as aerial inspection, aerial photography, evacuation of victims, aerial surveillance. In the additional compartment of the machine can accommodate parachutes and cargo. This modification in the United States is sold under the name PC-12 Specter.
On December 18, 2012, Pilatus officially opened a representative office in Chongqing, China, and announced that China would become the site for aircraft from buyers in the Asia-Pacific region in the future. In September, a company spokesman announced that individual parts of the PC-12 NG would be manufactured in India by Tata Aircraft Systems. Previously, these parts were manufactured in Poland at the plants of the company PZL-Świdnik.
Design
The PC-12 is a business-class single-engine turboprop multi-purpose aircraft. According to the safety characteristics and power of the power plant, it is identical to twin-engine aircraft. The PC-12 is currently powered by the Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67 engine. Early models were equipped with the Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67B. The PC-12 NG has a more powerful PT6A-67P. According to Pilatus, the PC-12NG is a multifunctional machine. It can be operated in difficult environmental conditions, for example, in remote areas of Australia. PC-12 NG is one of the few pressurized turboprop aircraft capable of taking off from unpaved surfaces. The longitudinal chassis suspension lever allows the PC-12NG to be operated at those aerodromes where most aircraft cannot be used.
The comfortable PC-12 cabin can accommodate up to nine passengers. The configuration of the cabin allows you to modify its interior according to customer requirements. Here you can create conditions for both friendly communication and for work. In the cabin there is a bar, a bathroom, in the rear there is a luggage compartment.
The interior was developed with the participation of Designworks (BMW). A lot of leather, wood veneer and fabrics. It seems that you are in the interior of a luxury car. Non-standard sizes, the cargo compartment door allows you to place bulky goods, including packaged ones, in it.
In PC-12, designers have implemented a wide range of aviation security measures. Many customers bought this aircraft, primarily because of its highly reliable PT6A-67 engine. In order to avoid stalling and stalling in a tailspin, the PC-12 is equipped with an automatic angle of attack and overload alarm. The power supply system includes an additional power source. Anti-icing systems act on the wings and tail. Engine icing is prevented by the heat they generate.
PC-12 can be used not only for transportation of passengers. It has a multi-purpose purpose. In particular, it can act as an ambulance or observer aircraft. To perform surveillance functions, the PC-12 can be equipped with an optical-thermal imaging head, as well as an operator panel with two on-screen monitors, a digital video recorder, a control panel for communications, expansion compartments for radio communications, as well as data transmission equipment.
As standard, the aircraft is equipped with an autopilot with stabilization along three axes. A meteorological locator, a long-range navigation system and a radar altimeter are installed at the request of the customer.
The cockpit is equipped with a Honeywell Primus Apex glass cabin avionics. It includes four ten-inch high-resolution liquid crystal displays. Two of them act as the main flight displays and are located directly in front of the pilots, and the rest are optional and are located in the middle between them. Honeywell Primus Apex "glass cabin" is designed to reduce the workload of the crew and ensure the proper level of security. The cockpit is also equipped with a modern artificial vision system. It provides a higher level of situational awareness during piloting according to the rules of visual flights. The layout of the cockpit for comfort is in no way inferior to the layout of the cabin.
The PC-12NG is equipped with an engine monitoring system. It monitors the operation of the engines and warns of possible malfunctions.
General characteristics
Crew: 1-2 people.
Lenght: 14.40 meters
Wing span: 16.28 meters
Height: 4.26 meters
Wing Area: 25.81 sq. meter.
Type of proportion: 10.27
Maximum take-off weight: 4.740 kilograms.
Maximum landing weight: 4,500 kilograms.
Maximum weight without fuel: 4.100 kilograms.
Propeller: Hartzell five-blade propeller.
Propeller diameter: 2.67 meters.
Propeller rotation speed: 1.700 rpm.
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67P, 1,200 hp / 895 kW
Performance characteristics
Cruising speed: 528 kilometers / hour.
Stall speed: 124 kilometers / hour.
Maximum flight range: 3.417 kilometers.
Limit ceiling: 9.144 meters.
Vertical Climb Speed: 585 meters / minute.
Wing load: 183.6 kilograms / sq. meter.
Takeoff distance: 793 meters.
Landing distance: 661 meters.
In November 2016, I was lucky enough to visit the homeland of the famous Pilatus aircraft. Four unforgettable days in a Swiss valley surrounded by mountains, called the Buochs \u200b\u200b(Stans) airdrome (I have written about this airdrome in detail), made me really fall in love with these small sky workers - the epitome of true Swiss quality.
With this post, I open a series of publications from the foot of Mount Pilatus, whose name proudly bear the winged heroes of my story and briefly tell you about the history and main products of Pilatus Aircraft ...
The Swiss aircraft manufacturer Pilatus Aircraft is not new to the global aircraft manufacturing market. Born in 1939 in the Stans municipality and launching its first Pilatus SB-2 aircraft in 1944, the company began its steady forward movement, over the years taking the world's first position in the production of single-engine turboprop aircraft for various purposes.
Initially, the Pilatus production vector was aimed at producing training aircraft, and in 1945 the Pilatus P-2 for the Swiss Air Force appeared. 54 units were built, and in 1953 the production of the next model began in the Pilatus line - the P-3, and 72 of these aircraft were built for the Swiss Air Force and 6 aircraft for the Brazilian Navy.
The PC-6 Porter, the first aircraft to achieve worldwide commercial success, made its debut flight on May 4, 1959. One of the main features of this general-purpose aircraft is a short take-off and landing. So, with a load of 1,500 kg, the take-off run of the aircraft is only 195 meters, the landing run is 130 meters.
The possibility of braking by a screw in the air allows landing on short strips constrained by obstacles along extremely steep glide path corners - 45 degrees or more. These properties of the aircraft are widely used to deliver goods to undeveloped areas. The plane holds the world record for landing at a high mountain airfield - the Dhaulagiri glacier in Nepal, located at an altitude of 5750 meters above sea level.
A transport aircraft with such characteristics has proven to be in demand and is widely exported. It was used in various military departments of many countries.
At the same time, private owners use the PC-6 Porter as an easy transport for short take-off and landing, as well as for training parachutists. The aircraft is actively used in medical aviation, for search and rescue operations and for work at high altitude airfields. This model is produced to this day and at the end of 2016, 500 aircraft were produced!
On April 12, 1966, the new Pilatus RS-7, made on the basis of the Pilatus P-3, first flew into the air, replacing the old Lycoming O-435 engine with the new Pratt & Whitney PT6A-20. Unfortunately, after the accident, the PC-7 program was delayed, and only on May 12, 1975, the updated aircraft made its first flight. The first production PC-7 took off on August 12, 1978, and on December 5 of that year, they were delivered to Burma and Bolivia.
Despite the rather large dimensions of the aircraft, the Pilatus PC-7 aircraft has excellent aerodynamics, which provides the aircraft with a high indicator of such a property as maneuverability. Due to this, the Pilatus PC-7 aircraft can be used as a sports aircraft, including one used for performing aerobatic stunts, which is one of the reasons why this model has gained wide popularity among potential owners and current operators.
In addition to the civilian aviation industry, the Pilatus PC-7 is actively used as a military training aircraft, and we are talking about the training of ordinary military pilots and pilots of military aircraft. This factor contributes mainly to the presence of a paired control system in the aircraft, and for this reason, the demand for this model in the aircraft continues to be quite high to this day. Production of the Pilatus PC-7 also continues and, according to the end of 2016, about 600 aircraft of this model were produced. They are used in 22 air forces of the world.
On May 7, 1984, the Pilatus PC-9 trainer made its first flight. The aircraft is a development of the earlier model PC-7 Turbo Trainer. Compared to the PC-7, the PC-9 has a larger fuselage, equipped with ejection seats and a turboprop. Initially, the aircraft was intended for delivery to the British Air Force, in order to replace the BAe (BAC) Jet Provost. The project was not accepted and the British Air Force adopted Short Tucano, and Pilatus continued the development of the model on its own initiative. Soon an order for this model was received from the Royal Air Force of Saudi Arabia and by 2004 more than 250 copies were produced.
But a real breakthrough in the production of turboprop aircraft was waiting for the company Pilatus Aircraft in 1991, when on May 31 the legendary Pilatus PC-12 made its first flight. It began its full-fledged operation in 1994, and now it is mainly used as a corporate plane or a regional airliner. To date, the RS-12 is the best-selling single-engine turboprop aircraft in the world.
By the way, the first prototype of the RS-12 was installed on the territory of the plant in Shtans and I was pleased to photograph this first legendary aircraft in the history of Pilatus ...
The line of manufactured models of the RS-12 is very diverse - from the usual passenger variants of the PC-12/41, 45, 47, 47E to military modifications - the American U-28A and the multi-purpose reconnaissance aircraft RS-12M Eagle. Depending on the configuration of reconnaissance equipment, the RS-12M can carry out the following missions: electronic reconnaissance and patrolling, electronic warfare and target designation, patrolling coastal borders and conducting operations against smuggling. As additional functions, the configuration of the aircraft is provided for in the role of: medical evacuation, photo reconnaissance, passenger and transport aircraft, VIP transport. The first flight of the RS-12M aircraft took place in October 1995. There are two main versions of the aircraft, the first: PC-12M (HB-FOB) - equipped with optoelectronic sensors under the control of the Northrop Grumman Sensor Management System (SMS). The SMS system includes a three-processor station based on Intel Pentium processors. The sensors include IR sensors WF-160DS FLIR, an optical camera with a zoom lens from 20 to 280 mm and the American RISTA system (Reconnaissance, Infra-red Surveillance, Target Acquisition). Second option: PC-12M (HB-FOG) - equipped with Northrop Grumman WF-160DS IR / EO sensors, Raytheon Sea Vue SV 1021 radar, Delfin Systems RER system (30 MHz to 2 GHz), digital and video data transmission system ( at a distance of up to 200 km).
Since 1994, the RS-12 has been in operation in more than 50 countries, and by mid-2017, Pilatus plans to deliver a jubilee 1,500 PC-12 aircraft.
Briefly I want to mention the new version of the Pilatus PC-12 - PC-12NG (Next Generation, "New Generation"). In November 2016, the manufacturer presented its customers an updated version of the popular turboprop. The first thing that catches your eye when examining a new aircraft is the first-used five-blade composite propeller, specially developed for the aircraft by Hartzell specialists. This new product can significantly reduce the noise level in the cockpit and improve flight performance, and from the point of view of aesthetics, the aircraft has become more stylish. The new screw is made of carbon fiber and has an unlimited service life, while its repair is carried out using epoxy resin and takes a minimum amount of time, and these works can be performed during the overhaul period.
As a result, with the new Hartzell PC-12NG propeller, only 793 meters are needed for takeoff. With a maximum take-off weight, the aircraft “climbs” to a cruising altitude of 8585 meters 10% faster than the previous version, and its maximum range with four passengers is already 3407 km. The maximum speed of the new RS-12NG is increased to 528 km / h.
In January 1999, Pilatus Aircraft began developing the Pilatus PC-21 two-seat training aircraft. The first prototype was released on April 30, 2002, and on July 1 of that year, it made its first flight. The second prototype took off on July 21, 2004. The RS-21 was supposed to enter the air force as a training facility, however, during the implementation of the project, optimization was carried out, as a result of which the aircraft was also actively used in civil aviation.
The operation of the RS-21 began in April 2008 - 4 aircraft were ordered from the Swiss Air Force, and in December 2010 an order was made for another 2 aircraft. It can be said that thanks to the RS-21, sales growth in 2010 was due to the receipt of a very large order for the United Arab Emirates Air Force and Air Defense.
The design of the aircraft Pilatus PC-21 was actually carried out on the basis of the Pilatus PC-9 model, which allowed to reduce the work time associated with the development of the aircraft to some extent, however, both aircraft are radically different from each other. In particular, the Pilatus PC-21 model has significantly better aerodynamics, and despite the fact that the fuselage dimensions of this model are somewhat larger, the RS-21 aircraft is more maneuverable. The aircraft is equipped with a turboprop power plant consisting of a single engine of the brand Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68B, having a traction power of 1600 hp and is able to cover distances of 1330 kilometers at a cruising speed of 590 km \\ h.
In the military sphere, Pilatus PC-21 is used as a training tool for training military pilots in the operation of jet fighters. The aircraft continues to this day to be in mass production, which is associated with high demand for this model. As of the end of 2016, 188 airplanes of the world are operating by 7 air forces of the world - Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Australia.
Pilatus Aircraft, like many aircraft manufacturers, does not stand still and confidently keeps pace with the times, trying to occupy a fresh niche in the jet aviation field, and the latest Pilatus PC-24 aircraft is a vivid confirmation of this. On May 12, 2013, the new bizjet was first presented at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, and currently the aircraft in the amount of the first two prototypes P01 and P02 is undergoing flight tests at the Buochs \u200b\u200b(Stans) airfield, and the third side of the P03 is ground tested in the USA.
I was lucky to take some photos of the firstborn P01 and P02 of the new reactive era Pilatus. Lightweight, maneuverable, with a short take-off and a grace of innovative forms - this is just a little that I can say about my first visual acquaintance with this beautiful aircraft. I hope that in more detail I can tell you about the RS-24 next year as part of the official presentation of the new product, all the real possibilities of which are still being kept in the strictest confidence.
On August 1, 2014, on Swiss National Day, P01 was introduced to the public, and on May 11, 2015, P01 made its first test flight from Buochs \u200b\u200bAirport, a total of 55 minutes in the air. On November 16, 2015, P02 made its first flight, lasting 82 minutes. By this date, a total of 150 flight hours had accumulated in P01's asset and completed more than 100 flights. In May 2016, P01 took a short break in the test program to appear on a static display on EBACE. By that time, P01 and P02 had accumulated more than 500 flight hours. During the transatlantic transition to the USA, P02 already reached a cruising speed of over 800 km / h (432 knots), which was better than expected.
According to Bizav News, Pilatus Aircraft plans to go to the finish line in certification of the new RS-24 in early 2017, when the third prototype of the aircraft begins to fly. It is expected that in the third quarter of 2017, the company will receive the long-awaited type certificate. It is expected that at EBAC 2017, the manufacturer will demonstrate to the public the first RS-24 equipped with a saloon. The first deliveries are scheduled for August 2017, and the first owners of the business jet will be the American equity operator Planesense and the Australian Royal Flying Doctor Service.
The main competitors in the price range will be Embraer Phenom 300 and Cessna Citation CJ4. According to the company, the aircraft will have a range of 3300 km (2051 miles) and develop a cruising speed with six passengers on board equal to 786 km / h (or 488 mph). The aircraft is equipped with two Williams FJ44-4A power plants mounted on pylons in the tail, and it is also equipped with a large cargo door, like on the PC12, and a sealed luggage compartment with free access during the flight. The main advantages of this “off-road” aircraft over “classmates” will be takeoff and landing characteristics, allowing the aircraft to take off from a distance of 820 m (2690 ft), and the landing distance will be 770 m (2526 ft). The chassis of the PC24 aircraft will be designed for flights from unpaved and grass runways, making it possible to use the Pilatus PC-24 in remote and underdeveloped airports in all parts of the world.
In a small Swiss town where pedantic craftsmanship has always been combined with the spirit of technical innovation 75 years ago, this story began ... Over three quarters of a century of its existence, Pilatus Aircraft has achieved amazing success in business and each of the nearly 2,000 people working in the company proud of its products. Pilatus confidently sets trends, and does not follow them, and year after year they create new models and expand the boundaries of the possible. That is why Pilatus is a world leader in the manufacture of aircraft characterized by quality, capabilities, versatility and cost-effectiveness at the level of international standards.
“We are creating a truly Swiss movement. Innovative. Uncompromising. Passionate. We are ready to build your next plane!” Great motto for a great company!
P.S. Many thanks to the managing partner of sales of RS-12 aircraft in Russia "Nesterov Aviation" in the person of Evgeny Okladnikov! Also, to write this post, it was required, as always, our own photographs and information support for BizavNews. Special thanks to Bizavmen for great opportunities and wonderful company in our travels!
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