Pilatus Enhances PC-12 NG for 2014

Released on Tuesday, February 11, 2014

 

Pilatus is introducing five new features in the 2014 model in an effort

to keep demand high for the popular single engine turboprop.

“To celebrate the first delivery of a PC-12 20 years ago, we've added a

host of new features to make the 2014 PC-12 NG the best PC-12 to

date,” stated Ignaz Gretener, Vice President General Aviation at Pilatus

Aircraft Ltd.

Incorporating new technology and responding to customer feedback, the

new 2014 PC-12 NG will include six new BMW DesignworksUSA executive

interior options, a new electric landing gear system, external LED

lighting, a wireless Connected Flight Deck™ system, and a Wi-Fi

passenger entertainment system.

New BMW Interiors

Pilatus continues its longstanding partnership with BMW Group

DesignworksUSA by offering 6 new interior packages and a new array of

exterior paint schemes crafted exclusively for Pilatus. The palettes

satisfy nearly every aesthetic from understated, to expressive and

natural, to technical. In the Pilatus tradition, the interior designs combine

modern style with a focus on function, quality, and innovation.

Responding to the increased demand for the PC-12 NG in emerging

markets, all BMW interiors will be available globally for the first time.

Electric Landing Gear

By replacing the PC-12’s original hydraulic landing gear with a new

electric system, PC-12 operators realize both weight and maintenance

cost savings. The electric landing gear provides a 13 lb (5.9 kg) weight

savings over the previous hydraulic system, and reduces the landing gear

maintenance and inspection costs. The 2014 PC-12 NG is now an allelectric

aircraft, similar to the most modern airliners.

External LED Lighting

The 2014 PC-12 NG is equipped with light emitting diode (LED) landing,

taxi, recognition, navigation, and strobe lights. The tail-mounted strobe

light has been eliminated by incorporating its function into the two

wingtip strobes. The LED lights are even more reliable due to their solid

state design, and produce more light than the incandescent bulbs

employed in previous models of the aircraft.

Connected Flight Deck

The new wireless Connected Flight Deck™ system is a set of four

innovative iPad™ applications that interface with a wireless gateway

system onboard the PC-12 NG. Each application is designed to enhance

the efficiency of data exchanged between the aircraft, pilot, and

maintenance personnel. The apps enable fast and simple wireless

updates of airport, navigation and terrain databases, off-aircraft flight

planning and uploading directly to the flight management system,

maintenance and diagnostic recording with email to a service facility, and

a moving map feature for passengers. This “industry first” was the result

of a collaborative joint development effort between Pilatus, Honeywell,

Jeppesen, and Aspen Avionics.

Wireless Entertainment System

Passengers can connect wirelessly to their favorite movies, music, and a

moving map using their personal Wi-Fi enabled devices. An on-board

media server with USB, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi inputs provides passengers

the ability to easily connect and independently access stored movies,

music, photos, XM satellite radio, and other content. The standard high

resolution moving map display allows passengers to instantly track their

location, speed, altitude, and remaining flight time. Pilatus also offers

both satellite and ground-based options for in-flight Internet access for

the North American market. The new wireless entertainment option,

powered by the Emteq’s eConnect™ system will be available mid-2014.

Gretener continued, “This year marks the 20th anniversary of certification

of the PC-12, and global demand for the PC-12 NG remains very strong

as we approach the 1,300th delivery. We will continue to innovate with

new features and capabilities for the PC-12, as we still see a lot of future

potential in this market segment.”

The base price for the 2014 PC-12 NG is $3,850,000 with a typically

equipped executive configuration priced at $4,642,000.

 

Source: PILATUS ENHANCES PC-12 NG FOR 2014