PC-24 photo: Pilatus Pilatus PC-24 business jet secured an impressive order for 84 jets during first two days of EBACE 2014 at Geneva.
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| PC-24 photo: Pilatus |
Pilatus PC-24 business jet secured an impressive order for 84 jets during first two days of EBACE 2014 at Geneva.
Pilatus said all PC-24s to be built in the first three years of production has been sold out.
Deliveries from 2017 to the end of 2019 has been sold. Sales went ahead on the basis of binding contracts and non-refundable deposits.
For now, Pilatus has suspended intake of order with deliveries in 2020 or beyond, which opened on Tuesday.
The PC-24 marks Switzerland-based Pilatus’s first foray into the business jet market, and also its first jet powered aircraft.
Company named five of its launch customers:
- Falcon Aviation Services, United Arab Emirates: 2 PC-24s
- Jetfly, Luxembourg: 4 PC-24s
- PlaneSense, USA: 6 PC-24s
- Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (Western Operations): 3 PC-24s, incl. option for 1 additional aircraft
- U-Haul International, USA: 2 PC-24s
The aircraft is designed for very short runway landing and take offs with capability to operate from unpaved runways and grass strips. It has a take-off distance of 820 m (2,690 ft) and landing distance of 770 m (2,526 ft).
First rollout of the aircraft is scheduled for 1st August 2014, also Swiss National Day.
Three prototypes will be built for the flight test programme, with the maiden flight scheduled for early 2015.
Certification and first deliveries to customers are planned from 2017 onwards.
PC-24 has a designed range of 3,300 km (2,051 mi) with six passengers and a cruise speed of 786 km/h (488 mph).
It is to be powered by two tail-mounted Williams FJ44-4A turbofan engines, with each delivering a 15 kN (3,400 lbf) thrust.
The aircraft will be certified for single pilot operation.
