Pilatus Opens Center To Expand Composite Use

Pilatus Aircraft is expanding its advanced composites capabilities with the opening of its “Schwarzhorn” building in Nidwalden, Switzerland. Employing 300 people, the center represents a CHF100 million ($123 million) investment, marking the most expensive facility the company has built, according to Pilatus CEO Markus Bucher. Importantly, it combines Pilatus’ composite component development and production under one roof, the company added.

The Swiss manufacturer of civil and military turboprop and jet aircraft has used composites, or fiber-reinforced materials, for more than 40 years. But this has mainly involved non-load-bearing secondary structures such as covers and cowlings.

However, its PC-24 incorporates composites in its primary structural components, which Pilatus notes are lighter and improve fuel efficiency. With this experience on load-bearing control surfaces, Pilatus is planning to expand its use of composites.

Named after a Swiss mountain and the color of the composite components, the Schwarzhorn building houses all activities from delivery and storage of raw materials to component production, subassembly, surface treatment, and storage. This streamlines the process of delivering components directly to final assembly as finished kits.

The building was also built with sustainability in mind, including solar panels on the roof and facades, and use of process-related waste heat and groundwater for heating and cooling. In addition, the building was designed to enable Pilatus to obtain its first LEED Platinum recognition.