Pilatus PC-12 NG

See why everybody wants a piece of Pilatus.

The cabin is relatively easy to reconfigure, with a straightforward modular track system. In back, there's a lot of room for toys. John Dibbs

The essence of the PC-12 NG: high-style elegance contrasted with rugged versatility. John Dibbs

With a turboprop engine, not only is it more powerful but it's more reliable. John Dibbs

On the outside, the PC-12 NG is a thing of beauty. On the inside, it's a technological marvel. John Dibbs

The Apex flight deck uses the platform of Honeywell's Primus Epic suite to give the PC-12 NG a lot of capability with single-pilot user friendliness. John Dibbs

One of the upgrades in the NG model is the addition of servo tabs on the ailerons, which provide better roll response. John Dibbs

The big T-tail of the PC-12 NG is reminiscent of another airplane of a similar class, albeit one that is outfitted with more than one PT6 turboprop engine: the Beechcraft King Air. In terms of cabin size and payload, the two are quite similar. In terms of operating costs, the PC-12 NG is the clear winner, though with one engine inop, the performance of the PC-12 is not as good as that of the King Air. John Dibbs

As rough-field landings and the dark of night don’t go well together, the PC-12 NG is fitted with multiple, bright landing lights. John Dibbs

Though it is a Part 23 airplane, the PC-12 NG seems in many ways as though it’s designed according to the standards of Part 25, which covers larger, turbojet airplanes. A case in point is the emergency hatch, one of at least three ways to exit the airplane in case of an emergency. John Dibbs

The PC-12 NG is a very substantial airplane. Like the Learjet 60, among other big airplanes, the Pilatus turboprop single features dual ventral fins (called Delta Fins by Bombardier) to help tame stall characteristics and enhance stability. John Dibbs

One of the defining characteristics of the PC-12 NG is the updated engine, the PT6-76P, which offers a boost in horsepower to 1,200 for takeoff and an increase in thermodynamic capability, so pilots can run it hotter and higher for better cruise speeds. The engine inlet is electrically heated. John Dibbs

Pilatus designers have an eye for beauty and ruggedness. Even the air conditioning inlet is a work of art, and a beefy one at that. The PC-12 NG features dual zone A/C, which is a big improvement over legacy PC-12s as it allows the crew and passengers to select different temperatures for their zones, instead of forcing everybody to find a common setting that makes no one happy. John Dibbs

A radar pod mounted far outboard on the right wing provides tactical weather imaging capability; the wing of the NG version, somewhat surprisingly, boasts slightly smaller winglets than the pre-NG PC-12. John Dibbs

The full-length airstair door is super light and easy to use while providing good sound attenuation. It’s also pretty wide, allowing passengers to carry good-sized bags into the airplane without much trouble. Of course, the huge rear cargo door is also always an option. For more, check out our feature "Pilatus PC-12 Versus the World." John Dibbs

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Flying StaffEditor

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