Pilatus has delivered the first production PC-24 to US fractional ownership company PlaneSense. The cabin features monuments made by F/List, including cabinets with cores from its joint venture Hilitech, which specializes in lightweight composite components.
F/List was commissioned to provide the whole interior for the first PC-24, including sliding doors, tables, a galley, stone countertops and stone flooring. Pilatus and F/List already boast a longstanding partnership.
Space and weight were key parameters, given the PC-24’s focus on versatility, comfort and performance. Hilitech is a joint venture between F/List and the Hintsteiner Group. F/List says its carbon composite components are made in a way that reduces weight by up to 25% compared with traditional techniques.
The company also says the technique enables more complex 3D geometries and therefore more daring designs. The raw parts, which are almost joint-free, can be finished with F/List’s wood and stone veneers.
The first PC-24 was handed over in a ceremony at Pilatus Business Aircraft in Broomfield, Colorado, USA. PlaneSense has a further five PC-24s on order, adding to its fleet of 36 PC-12 single-engine turboprops.
“We have greatly admired the quality and state-of-the-art design of Pilatus aircraft, and are proud to have partnered with Pilatus for the last 22 years,” said George Antoniadis, founder, president and CEO at PlaneSense.
“We’ve been eagerly working toward this moment since the conception of this innovative new jet a decade ago,” said Markus Bucher, CEO at Pilatus. “On behalf of the 2,000 Pilatus employees who successfully designed, built and certified the best business aircraft in our 80-year company history, we are proud to have our long-time customer and partner PlaneSense take delivery of the very first PC-24.”
After completing FAA requirements, PlaneSense’s first PC-24 will embark on a short demonstration tour.
February 16, 2018
