Pilatus Aircraft delivered its 100th PC-24 business jet to Jetfly Aviation, the largest European fractional operator of Pilatus PC-12s and PC-24s. Jetfly, based in Luxembourg, now operates 10 of the versatile light jets—and one that apparently punches higher than its weight.
Pilatus delivered the first PC-24 in February 2018, and the now 100-strong fleet has logged more than 33,500 hours globally. With the ability to utilize unimproved airstrips and use steep approach profiles—and also deliver a 2,000-nm range and cruise speed of 440 ktas—the PC-24 has earned placement with operators such as the Royal Flying Doctors Service in Australia. Jetfly, in business for 20 years, also operates 40 PC-12s—soon to add a new NGX—and has a maintenance base in Bournemouth, UK.
Oscar J. Schwenk, chairman of Pilatus Aircraft, said in a press release, “We hit the bullseye with the PC-24: I’m very encouraged by such high demand. We’re already sold out for 2021, but the order book is open for deliveries from 2022 onward. Investment in the PC-24 helps us to secure jobs at our Swiss site on a long-term basis. We are also working on further optimisations.”
The PC-24′s flat-floored cabin measures 501 cubic ft and can seat up to 10 passengers. Pilatus now offers an in-flight catering insert as an option on new PC-24s. The single-pilot-operable jet is powered by two Williams FJ44-4A turbofan engines, and it features a unique double-slotted flap system helping to provide its short-and-rough-field capability. Deliveries in 2020 and 2021 carried a base price of $10.7 million.
