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-67P delivering 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. Its rugged design and exceptional short-field performance (requiring only 2,485 feet for takeoff at maximum weight) have made it a favorite for corporate shuttle work, air ambulance operations, cargo feeders, and remote-area access where paved runways are a luxury. The type's versatility is legendary: operators configure the same airframe for executive transport one day and gravel-strip cargo runs the next, swapping seats and cargo nets in under an hour. With a maximum cruise speed of 280 knots and range exceeding 1,800 nautical miles, the PC-12 occupies a unique niche between light twins and turbine helicopters, offering near-jet speed without the fuel burn or maintenance complexity of a second engine. Its PT6 powerplant is known for reliability in harsh environments, from the Australian Outback to the Canadian Arctic, and the aircraft's large aft cargo door accommodates stretchers, oversized freight, or even motorcycles. SkyMeter has tracked 107 flights across 48 airframes and 46 operators, with JAKES AIRVENTURES LLC the largest observed operator.