Swiss aircraft manufacturer Pilatus has chosen the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) held in Geneva in May 2013 to exhibit for the first time its first jet powered aircraft, the Pilatus PC-24. A year later, in May 2014, the company started taking orders and the first aircraft is scheduled for rollout during this August, so it seems to be as good of a time as any to showcase the aircraft here as well.
This new jet was developed as a response to customers who appreciated the PC-12, but wanted a bit more than the turbine-powered aircraft. The PC-24 is powered by twin Williams FJ44-4A turbofan engines with 3,400 lbf of thrust each, allowing the airplane to reach a top speed of 489 mph (787 km/h). It has a range of 2,245 miles, can accommodate up to 10 passengers and is certified for single-pilot operation.
Pilatus has already sold out the aircraft’s first production run, with deliveries planned to commence in 2017. The price for the PC-24 was set at around $9 million.
