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Development of Pilatus' PC-24 Super
Versatile Jet has now entered its final phase and the company expects to obtain
certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) in December 2017.
The official handover of the first customer
aircraft is scheduled to go ahead before the end of the year.
The three PC-24 prototypes have made a total
of 1,250 flights for 2,000 hours in the air so far. Function reliability tests
are currently underway with P03, which corresponds to the production standard.
Oscar J. Schwenk,
Chairman of Pilatus, comments: “I’m very pleased with the progress of the
development programme and am looking forward to the moment when we are awarded
the type certificate and can hand over the PC-24 to our first customer. I have
no doubt whatsoever that the future operators will be more than delighted with
the outstanding performance of the Super Versatile Jet and the countless
possibilities it offers.”
Expansion of customer service
As from 1 September, Pilatus launched a 24/7
customer service facility to meet the high expectations of PC-24 customers.
Spare parts and other technical support can now be requested worldwide, 365 days
a year. PC-12 customers will also benefit from this upgraded service. In recent
months, Pilatus has also expanded its global network of Authorised PC-24 Service
Centres and equipped them with spare parts to guarantee rapid availability.
Maintenance specialists have already been trained to ensure they are optimally
prepared for the PC-24.
In partnership with FlightSafety
International, one of the most trusted names in flight training, Pilatus has
developed a “Full Motion Simulator” and maintenance training units which will be
available for crew instruction in good time ahead of certification.
The PC-24 is the first business jet worldwide
designed to take off and land on very short runways, or unpaved runways, and to
come with a cargo door as standard. It also boasts an extremely spacious cabin
whose interior can easily be adapted to personal requirements. The outstanding
flexibility of the PC-24 opens the door on an enviable spectrum of possibilities
- whether as a business jet, ambulance aircraft or for other special missions.
All this makes it a Super Versatile Jet, an aircraft designed to fulfil a wide
variety of individual mission profiles. |
