out of the factory on Swiss National Day
(August 1) 2014, towed by 24 horses, in front
of 35,000 spectators, who were also treated
to a lypast by an example of each Pilatus
aircraft to enter production. The event also
celebrated the company’s 75th anniversary.
While the roll-out was conducted on
schedule, the programme had slipped slightly
as the maiden light had been due to take
place in late 2014. The initial light by the time
of the roll-out was then expected to occur in
the spring of 2015, although deliveries were
still planned for 2017. It was also revealed that
the jet was heavier than expected, although
within the never-exceed weight, with efforts
continuing to achieve the original target.POWERPLANT
Flight testing began on May 11, 2015, when
pilots Paul Mulcahy and Reto Aeschlimann
lifted P01, HB-VXA, off Runway 07 at Buochs-
Stans at 1000hrs, followed by a PC-21 chase
aircraft, returning 55 minutes later. As is
standard for many maiden lights, the landing
gear remained down. Twelve engineers
monitored progress on the ground via real-
time data streaming.
The irst prototype was used to expand
the light envelope of the PC-24. Some 2,200
light hours were planned, using three PC-24s.
The second (P02, HB-VXB), to evaluate
the aircraft’s systems, joined the testcampaign from November 16, 2015, by
which time P01 had accumulated 150 hours
during 100 sorties. The following March,
P02 crossed the Atlantic to Deer Valley in
Phoenix, Arizona, to complete trials of the
avionics and autopilot. After 500 light hoursby the two aircraft, no major problems were
encountered, allowing P01 to make its public
debut on May 24, 2016, visiting Geneva for
the day to be shown off to EBACE attendees.
The test leet was completed by the irst
light of P03 (HB-VSA) on March 6, 2017,
the initial example to production standard,
equipped with a working cabin.
In addition to trials of the interior, it
participated in a functional and reliability
programme at the end of the certiication
trials to highlight any issues that would only
become apparent in day-to-day use.
The FJ44-4A-QPM that powers the PC-24,
rated at 3,240lb st (14.41kN), received its
type and production certiicate from EASA
on August 4, 2017. It is based on the FJ44-
4 used by the Cessna CJ4, but includes
a new full authority digital engine control
(FADEC) system. It was the availability of the
powerplant that limited the original orders to
just 84 aircraft.
Following 2,205 light hours, Type
Certiication from EASA and the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA), in the CS-
23 Commuter category, was received on
December 7, 2017, clearing the way for
service entry.
Pilatus initiated series production in
early 2017 to ensure deliveries in a timely
way with the irst due late that year. Despite
the slight delay at the start of the light30 Aviation News incorporating Jets December 2018
‘The aircraft came out
of the factory on Swiss
National Day (August
- 2014, towed by
24 horses, in front of
35,000 spectators’
Top left: Some of the rough ield trials took
place at Fano in Italy (illustrated), the former
RAF Woodbridge as well as locations in
Canada.
Top right: A close-up of the freight door, which
measures 1.30 x 1.25m.
Above left: A view looking towards the rear
of the 22ft 12in-long cabin for which various
conigurations are available.
Above right: Honeywell Primus Apex avionics
form the basis of the Pilatus Advanced
Cockpit Environment.