Pilatus PC-12 NGX

Pilatus PC-12 NGX

The Pilatus PC-12 NGX, announced in October 2019 and certified at launch, represents the pinnacle of single-engine turboprop development. Building on over 10 million flight hours and 2,100 aircraft delivered since 1994, the NGX takes the world's most popular pressurized single-engine turboprop to new heights of refinement, efficiency, and technological advancement.

The World's Greatest Single

Leadership is earned through decades of performance. With over 30 years of continuous development, the PC-12 has proven itself as the most versatile and valued business aircraft in its class. The NGX continues this legacy with an all-new powerplant, revolutionary cockpit systems, and a cabin interior designed in collaboration with BMW Designworks.

The aircraft excels in operating environments that challenge other business aircraft: short runways, unpaved surfaces, remote destinations, and demanding weather conditions. From the Australian Outback with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to Arctic operations with the North Slope Borough in Alaska, PC-12s operate reliably where other aircraft cannot venture.

PT6E-67XP Engine

The PC-12 NGX features the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6E-67XP, the most advanced member of the legendary PT6 engine family. With over 400 million hours across 60,000 engines, the PT6 has established an unmatched reliability record.

The E-Series engine introduces:

• Dual-channel integrated Electronic Propeller and Engine Control System (EPECS)
• Digital autothrottle (first in business turboprop class)
• Single-lever power control with flight phase detents
• 5,000-hour time between overhaul (43% increase over predecessor)
• Propeller low-speed mode (1,550 RPM) for reduced cabin and community noise

The PT6E-67XP produces 1,845 thermodynamic shaft horsepower, flat-rated to 1,200 shp for takeoff and climb, and 1,100 shp for cruise. The continuous flat rating to ISA+35°C ensures consistent performance in hot and high conditions.

Hartzell 5-Blade Composite Propeller

The NGX features the Hartzell HC-E5A-3A five-blade composite propeller:

• Carbon fiber Advanced Structural Composite blades with swept scimitar tips
• 2.67 m (105 in) diameter
• 3 kg (7 lbs) lighter than the previous 4-blade aluminum propeller
• 5-10 times stronger than wood core propellers
• 4,000-hour TBO with unlimited blade life (field repairable)
• Delivers 5 knots faster cruise and 10% quicker climb to FL280

Advanced Cockpit Environment

The Pilatus ACE avionics system, based on Honeywell Primus Epic 2.0, sets the standard for single-pilot turboprop operations. Over 22 million flight hours have been accumulated on this platform in high-end jet aircraft.

Key features include:

• Four 10-inch high-resolution LCD displays (2 PFDs, 2 MFDs)
• SmartView Synthetic Vision System with HUD-based performance symbology
• Digital autothrottle for smooth speed control in all flight regimes
• Touch screen controller replacing mechanical keypad
• Cursor Control Device (CCD) for precise inputs in turbulence
• Tactile feedback envelope protection for unusual attitudes
• Emergency Descent Mode (EDM) for pilot incapacitation
• Crew Alerting System (CAS) with automatic electronic checklist
• TCAS II traffic collision avoidance
• Weather on vertical situation display
• Full ADS-B In/Out functionality
• 3D audio for enhanced situational awareness
• VHF VDL Mode 2 CPDLC for European operations (optional)

The autothrottle represents a revolutionary advancement, automatically managing engine power throughout all phases of flight and significantly reducing pilot workload.

Performance

The PC-12 NGX delivers exceptional performance from its single PT6E-67XP engine:

• Maximum cruise speed: 537 km/h (290 KTAS) at FL220
• Maximum certified altitude: 9,144 m (30,000 ft)
• Rate of climb: 585 m/min (1,920 fpm) at MTOW, sea level
• Time to climb to FL250: 19 minutes (direct climb)
• VMO: 240 KIAS / MMO: Mach 0.49
• Stall speed (landing configuration): 67 KIAS

Range Capability

NBAA IFR range with 100 nm reserves, long-range cruise at FL300, single pilot:

• 4 passengers (363 kg payload): 3,339 km (1,803 nm)
• 6 passengers (544 kg payload): 2,904 km (1,568 nm)
• Maximum payload (1,014 kg): 1,285 km (694 nm)
• Ferry range: 3,498 km (1,889 nm)

Fuel capacity: 1,522 liters (402 US gallons) usable, weighing 1,227 kg (2,704 lbs).

Short Field Performance

The PC-12 NGX opens access to over 21,300 airports worldwide, 84% more destinations than comparable aircraft requiring 1,067 m (3,500 ft) runways:

• Takeoff distance over 15 m obstacle: 758 m (2,485 ft) at MTOW
• Landing distance over 15 m obstacle: 661 m (2,170 ft) at MLW
• Certified for paved, grass, gravel, and dirt surfaces
• Trailing-link landing gear with 35.6 cm (14 in) of travel
• Low-pressure tires: 55 psi main gear, 60 psi nose gear

BMW Designworks Interior

The PC-12 NGX cabin, developed in collaboration with BMW Designworks and revealed at NBAA-BACE 2019, represents the finest interior ever offered in a single-engine turboprop.

Interior highlights:

• PC-24 inspired cabin windows with 10% more glass area
• Full recline executive seats with taller backs
• 2.5 cm (1 in) more seated headroom due to redesigned seat base
• Completely flat floor throughout cabin
• Forward lavatory preserving full baggage capacity
• Fine European leather with custom hand-stitching
• Six BMW Designworks color palettes available
• Redesigned headliner maximizing seated headroom
• Improved air distribution for lower noise levels

The 9.34 m³ (330 ft³) cabin volume accommodates six to ten passengers depending on configuration.

Seven Cabin Configurations

The PC-12 NGX offers seven distinct layouts with quick-release seat systems:

• 6-Seat Executive: Maximum comfort with ample baggage space
• 6+2 Executive: Flexible seating for 6-8 passengers
• 8-Seat Executive: Full capacity while maintaining luggage room
• 4+4 Executive: Alternative arrangement for varied needs
• Commuter: High-density seating for up to 10 passengers
• Combi: Passenger and cargo combination
• Air Ambulance: Dual stretchers with medical equipment space

Cargo Door Versatility

The PC-12 NGX is the only single-engine turboprop with a standard pallet-sized cargo door:

• Cargo door: 1.32 m x 1.35 m (4 ft 4 in x 4 ft 5 in)
• Heated and pressurized cargo area
• 1.13 m³ (40 ft³) baggage compartment
• In-flight baggage access
• Maximum payload: 1,014 kg (2,236 lbs)

Motorcycles, surfboards, mountain bikes, skis, and medical equipment regularly travel in PC-12s.

Connectivity Options

Factory-installed connectivity options include:

• Gogo AVANCE L3: Air-to-ground Wi-Fi from 914 m (3,000 ft), streaming, voice calls
• SmartSky LITE: 5G and LTE technologies, streaming-level connectivity
• Satellite communications: Viasat and Gogo satellite options for global coverage
• SiriusXM: Weather and entertainment

Operating Economics

The PC-12 NGX delivers the lowest direct operating costs of any pressurized business aircraft:

• Variable operating costs: $750-1,000 per hour
• Fuel burn: 208-284 liters (55-75 gallons) per hour depending on cruise setting
• Operating costs approximately 65% of twin turboprops
• Operating costs approximately 50% of comparable jets
• 600-hour scheduled maintenance intervals
• 5,000-hour engine TBO

Residual Value

The PC-12 demonstrates exceptional value retention:

• 80-85% of original price retained after 10 years
• 3-year production waitlist creates supply constraints
• Average time on market: 283 days vs. 560 days for other turboprops
• Some late-model NGX units selling 20% above original purchase price

Safety Record

The PC-12 has achieved an extraordinary safety record:

• Fatal accident rate: 0.27 per million flight hours
• 4x better than average single-engine turboprops (1.15 per million hours)
• Statistically equivalent to the U.S. business jet fleet
• Zero fatal accidents in the U.S. caused by engine failure

Swiss Craftsmanship

Since 1939, Pilatus has built aircraft that excel in demanding conditions. Every PC-12 NGX is designed and manufactured at Pilatus headquarters in Stans, Switzerland, where over 2,000 employees apply the Swiss philosophy that every stitch can be straighter, every stripe smoother, and every gap tighter.

Pilatus customer support has been rated number one in the business turboprop market for 18 consecutive years, with global Authorized Service Centers providing 24/7/365 support.

Notable Operators

• Royal Flying Doctor Service (Australia): 34 PC-12s serving remote areas
• Tradewind Aviation (USA): 33 PC-12s, largest commercial fleet
• PlaneSense (USA): 34+ PC-12s in fractional ownership
• Boutique Air (USA): Exclusive PC-12 operator under Essential Air Service
• U.S. Air Force: 35 PC-12s designated U-28A Draco for special operations

Flight Times

From Zurich: London 2 hours 30 minutes, Paris 1 hour 45 minutes, Milan 1 hour, Munich 1 hour 10 minutes, Vienna 1 hour 35 minutes.

From Geneva: London 2 hours 35 minutes, Nice 1 hour, Rome 1 hour 40 minutes, Barcelona 1 hour 50 minutes.

From London: Paris 1 hour 25 minutes, Edinburgh 1 hour 30 minutes, Dublin 1 hour 40 minutes.