N559AJ

N559AJ is a Pilatus PC-12, a single-engine turboprop operated by BILLINGS FLYING SERVICE INC. SkyMeter has tracked 300 flights totalling 889 hours of airtime via ADS-B. The most frequent segment is KBIL to KBIL. Service window in our records spans 393 days. Of those flights, 82 (27.3%) carry at least one detected incident — go-around, unstable approach, stall warning, or runway excursion. The Pilatus PC-12 has a 53 ft wingspan, a maximum takeoff weight of 10,450 lb.

About the Pilatus PC-12

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 jet-like cabin pressurization and cruise speeds around 280 knots with the operating economics and short-field capability of a turboprop. Its unpressurized cabin can accommodate up to nine passengers in executive configuration or serve as an air ambulance, cargo hauler, or special-mission platform—a versatility that has made it a favorite among corporate flight departments, air ambulance operators, and government agencies worldwide.

What sets the PC-12 apart in the single-engine turboprop category is its pressurized cabin (certified to FL300), generous payload capacity of around 2,500 pounds, and ability to operate from runways as short as 2,500 feet. The aircraft's rugged landing gear and large cargo door enable operations into unimproved strips while maintaining a spacious stand-up cabin—a combination no competitor has matched at this price point. Range exceeds 1,800 nautical miles with reserves, and the type has earned a reputation for exceptional dispatch reliability in demanding environments from the Australian outback to Arctic medevac missions.

The PC-12 has evolved through several variants including the PC-12/45, PC-12/47E, and the current PC-12 NGX introduced in 2019 with a Pratt & Whitney PT6E-67XP engine and advanced Honeywell avionics. Pilatus has delivered over 1,900 airframes since program launch, with the type serving roles from executive transport to skydiving operations. Its single-engine simplicity translates to lower acquisition and operating costs than light twins while the PT6A's legendary reliability has contributed to an outstanding safety record across more than 7 million flight hours.

SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, with the largest observed operator.