The order book for the Pilatus PC-24 has been reopened. Pilatus first started taking orders in 2014, when it sold 84 of the aircraft in one and a half days. The order book was closed until Pilatus could receive feedback from the first operators.
Pilatus has delivered more than 30 PC-24s since the first customer delivery in February 2018. The fleet leader, owned by PlaneSense, has flown more than 1,100 hours in its first 15 months of operation. The PC-24 fleet as a whole has clocked up more than 5,000 hours of safe airborne time. Pilatus plans on delivering about 40 PC-24s in 2019, and on stepping up production to 50 aircraft the following year. For new customers, there are delivery positions programmed for late 2020 and 2021. The base price is US$10.7m.
“Demand for the PC-24 is phenomenal,” said Oscar J Schwenk, chairman of Pilatus. “From day one, there has been keen interest from various customer segments all over the world. Feedback from the first 30 PC-24 operators is extremely positive, with special mention for the aircraft’s versatility, its spacious, quiet cabin and the incredible performance of the PC-24. These remarks plus the high degree of attention which the aircraft commands all confirm our chosen PC-24 strategy.”
EASA and the FAA have already certified the PC-24 for use on unpaved runways. Work to obtain post-certification for other surfaces, including grass, is currently underway. The PC-24 has also been certified for steep approaches as required for London City Airport, for example.
