Pilatus Pc-31

Single Turboprop

The Pilatus PC-31 Turbo Porter represents a turboprop evolution of the legendary PC-6 Porter, Switzerland's famous short takeoff and landing workhorse first introduced in the 1950s. Built by Pilatus Aircraft in Stans, the PC-31 variant features a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprop engine delivering exceptional performance in confined mountain strips, bush operations, and utility roles where conventional aircraft cannot operate. Its unpressurized cabin accommodates up to ten passengers or equivalent cargo, and the aircraft's fixed tricycle or tailwheel landing gear can be fitted with skis, floats, or oversized tundra tires for operations in extreme environments. What distinguishes the Porter family is its extraordinary STOL capability: takeoff runs under 200 meters and landing distances even shorter make it the aircraft of choice for Alpine rescue services, parachute operations, and remote supply missions across rugged terrain. The type's high-wing configuration and rugged airframe allow operations from grass strips, glaciers, and improvised surfaces at altitudes where most single-engine aircraft struggle. Maximum operating altitude exceeds 25,000 feet, and the PC-31's slow-flight handling remains docile even in challenging mountain weather. The PC-31 designation specifically refers to turboprop-powered Porters in certain registries, though the broader PC-6 family encompasses both piston and turbine variants spanning seven decades of production. Over 600 Porters of all types have been delivered worldwide, serving operators from the Swiss Air Force to humanitarian organizations in Africa and Asia. The aircraft remains in production today, a testament to its unmatched utility in the world's most demanding operating environments. SkyMeter has tracked 36 flights across 9 airframes and 7 operators over routes, with STILLINGER DAVID C the largest observed operator.