By Lindsay Hughes | January 19, 2015 Estimated reading time 2 minutes, 21 seconds.
Following on the heels of a successful aircraft roll-out last summer, Pilatus Aircraft is now moving to position its new PC-24 super versatile jet for future operations around the globe.
Skies toured a mock-up of the highly-anticipated aircraft at the 2014 National Business Aviation Association convention in Orlando, Fla., and caught up with Pilatus Centre Canada vice president of sales, Stan Kuliavas, for a program update.
“Pilatus has a team of fantastic engineers and design folk that came up with the PC-24, and it’s an aircraft that’s unique, in the sense that nothing in its category can perform like it does,” said Kuliavas. “It’s an out-of-the-box aircraft that can get in and out of dirt, gravel, and grass, just as easily as it does a paved runway.”
When it comes to the anticipated market for the PC-24, Kuliavas expects some overlap with PC-12 operators who are looking to upgrade or add to their fleets, in addition to new customers. Suitable missions for the PC-24 will range from executive and cargo transport to medevac, making it ideally suited for diverse Canadian missions.
“It’s an aircraft that, as far as operating economics go, is projected to be very economical,” Kuliavas told Skies. “As far as being able to adapt to the Canadian environment and adverse weather conditions, it’s something that will fit in quite well.”
The feedback Pilatus has received from customers so far has been overwhelmingly positive, according to the OEM, which has taken 84 firm orders for the PC-24 since it was announced in May 2013.
“I think what that’s saying is that the world has basically said ‘yes’ to the PC-24 already,” said Kuliavas.
Watch the video to learn more about Pilatus’ PC-24 program.
