Pilatus Pc-12

Single Turboprop

The Pilatus PC-12 is a Swiss-built single-engine turboprop that has become the world's best-selling pressurized single since its 1994 certification. Powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67 producing 1,200 shaft horsepower, the PC-12 combines the operating economics of a single engine with cabin-class comfort for up to nine passengers and a pressurized ceiling of 30,000 feet, performance typically reserved for twin-engine aircraft. Its rugged design, unpaved-runway capability, and large cargo door have made it a favorite for corporate shuttle, air ambulance, cargo feeder, and special-mission roles worldwide. What sets the PC-12 apart is its versatility. The aircraft can haul nearly 2,700 pounds of payload over 1,800 nautical miles, land on grass strips as short as 2,500 feet, and cruise at 280 knots true airspeed in the flight levels. Its PT6 engine is known for reliability and ease of maintenance, contributing to dispatch rates above 95 percent across the global fleet. The PC-12 has found favor with fractional operators, government agencies, and owner-pilots who value its combination of speed, range, and single-pilot certification. The PC-12/47E variant (ICAO: PTS1) introduced in the mid-2000s featured improved avionics and increased maximum takeoff weight, further enhancing the type's utility. Later evolutions (the PC-12 NG and current PC-12 NGX) brought refined aerodynamics, advanced Honeywell Primus Apex avionics, and autothrottle, but the core airframe and mission profile remain unchanged. With over 1,900 delivered since program launch, the PC-12 continues production in Stans, Switzerland, and remains the benchmark for pressurized single-engine turboprops. SkyMeter has tracked 54 flights across 22 airframes and 20 operators, with CUMBERLAND CURTIS L JR the largest observed operator.