Switzerland’s Pilatus Aircraft (Static display S1) is showcasing at the Dubai Airshow its PC-24 “Super Versatile” twin jet, which can operate on short, unprepared runways. Pilatus developed the PC-24 in response to requests for a faster, longer-range version of its PC-12, the rugged single-engine turboprop that established Pilatus in the business aviation arena. The PC-24 is equipped with a similar large cargo door in addition to sharing the unimproved field capabilities of its sibling.

Powered by two Williams FJ44-4A-QPM turbofans, the eight-passenger light jet has a 440 knot cruise speed and 2,000 nm range. Priced at $10.7 million, Pilatus plans to deliver 40 PC-24s this year and 50 in 2020.

“Demand for the PC-24 is phenomenal,” said Pilatus chairman Oscar Schwenk. “From day one there has been keen interest from various customer segments all over the world.” 

The company introduced the PC-24 at EBACE in 2014, and within 36 hours the first three years of production—some 84 aircraft—were sold and the orderbook was closed. Launch customer PlaneSense, the U.S. PC-12 fractional ownership program, took delivery of the first PC-24 last year. This year, Pilatus reopened the orderbook at the EBACE show in Geneva.

The Dubai appearance comes on the heels of October’s introduction of the PC-12 NGX, follow on to the PC-12 NG, which entered service in 2008. The NGX features a PT6E-67XP Fadec-controlled engine with autothrottle, larger windows adapted from the PC-24, and a redesigned cabin with new seats. Additionally, engine time between overhaul has been raised from 4,000 to 5,000 hours. Priced at $4.39 million, and $5.37 million typically equipped, deliveries of the already certified aircraft are expected to begin in the second quarter of next year.

Switzerland’s AMAC Aerospace is the exclusive distributor for Pilatus Aircraft in the Middle East.