Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

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Mark Huber

Pilatus is back at NBAA-BACE and reporting bullish sales of its turboprop and jet models. “We are happy to be back here in the largest market for Pilatus aircraft, and are very fortunate that in this challenging environment, sales of the PC-12 NGX and the PC-24 continue to exceed our original projections,” said CEO Markus Bucher. Both aircraft are on static display this week at BACE at Pilatus‘s chalet at Henderson Executive Airport (Static A401).

 


The worldwide PC-24 jet fleet has grown to 120 since the first delivery in 2018&nbsp;and is flying diverse missions including corporate transport, charter, fractional, and air ambulance. “We still hear reactions from people discovering the PC-24 for the first time that they did not realize how large, roomy, and luxurious the passenger cabin is," Bucher said. "It truly combines the cabin of a midsize jet with the economy of a light jet and the utility of a turboprop. As we bring the PC-24 to the attention of prospective customers outside the Pilatus family, we are very encouraged that it will provide a long and productive future for its operators and Pilatus."&nbsp;

 


The PC-12NGX turboprop single features an updated executive interior, larger cabin windows, and a digital auto-throttle to reduce pilot workload. It is powered by the Pratt &amp; Whitney (P&amp;W) PT6E-67XP engine, the first dual-channel integrated electronic propeller and engine control system installed in a general aviation turboprop production aircraft. Operators enrolled in P&amp;W’s new Eagle Service Plan (ESP) Platinum pay-per-hour engine maintenance program for the engine&nbsp;are now covered for full foreign object damage (FOD), including any wear and tear or other required repairs discovered during a FOD repair. Customers no longer must make a separate insurance claim for FOD damage.&nbsp;

 


Bucher also noted that both aircraft are certified to use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), but stressed that the best way to reduce carbon emissions is to use less fuel, a driver in the PC-12’s design. By way of illustration, he said the PC-12 burns 75 percent less fuel on most business trips compared with a large-cabin business jet. More than 1,800 PC-12s have been delivered since 1994.

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