Pilatus Improves PC-12 and Increases Price

Pilatus’ PC-12 turboprop single will receive several upgrades next year, raising the base price of the aircraft by $80,000 to $2.79 million and a typically equipped aircraft to $3.4 million, according to a spokesperson for Pilatus Business Aircraft in Broomfield, Colo. The 2006 PC-12 will offer an additional 530 pounds of useful load, bringing it from 3,600 to 4,130 pounds for a typically equipped aircraft in an executive configuration. Maximum takeoff weight increases from 9,920 to 10,450 pounds. New winglets will reduce drag and improve crosswind control, and Flettner tabs on the ailerons will reduce roll control forces by 60 percent at low speeds and 72 percent at high speeds, Pilatus said. Crew seats on the new PC-12 will feature adjustable lumbar supports, seat backs, arm rests, thigh supports and headrests. Longer-lasting LED lights will be used in the cabin and for the navigation lighting system.