PC-24 Deliveries Begin
LAUNCH OPERATOR PlaneSense has
taken delivery of the first production
Pilatus PC-24, N124AF (c/n 101). The
jet, the first of six the US fractional
firm has on order, was handed over on
February 7. The relationship between
PlaneSense and Pilatus’ stretches back
to 1996 when the Colorado-based firm
introduced its first Pilatus PC-12 turbo-
prop; today it operates 36 examples.
“We are honoured to be the launch cus-
tomer for the PC-24, and are excited to
add this versatile and unique jet to the
PlaneSense fleet,” George Antoniadis,
PlaneSense founder, President and
CEO, told guests at the handover cer-emony. “We have greatly admired the
quality and state-of-the-art design of
Pilatus aircraft, and are proud to have
partnered with Pilatus for the last 22
years. This is an exciting day for us, as
well as for our clients who are eager to
start flying in this fantastic aircraft.”
The PC-24 builds on many of the key
attributes of its turboprop sibling,
including a cargo door and short field
performance. It can also land on grass
runways and access airfields that tradi-
tional business jets cannot.
Antoniadis explained: “Our share own-
ers have enjoyed the ability to travel
in and out of smaller airports with thePC-12. The PC-24 is the only jet that
will be able to access many of these
same airports, which saves clients a
significant amount of time over com-
mercial travel and provides tremen-
dous versatility to the PlaneSense pro-
gramme.”
PlaneSense’s pilots have gained type
ratings for the PC-24 at FlightSafety
International’s Dallas Learning Center,
where the first full-motion, Level-D,
PC-24 simulator is based. As the offi-
cial provider of PC-24 maintenance
training, FlightSafety is also conducting
courses with PlaneSense and author-
ised Pilatus Service Centre personnel.Before entering service, the aircraft will
complete FAA requirements and under-
take a short tour of the US and “interna-
tional locations” for current and poten-
tial customers.
Pilatus CEO Markus Bucher said:
“We’ve been eagerly working toward
this moment since the conception of
this innovative new jet a decade ago.
On behalf of the 2,000 Pilatus employ-
ees who successfully designed, built,
and certified the best business aircraft
in our 80-year company history, we are
proud to have our long-time customer
and partner PlaneSense take delivery
of the very first PC-24.” (Photo Pilatus)50 Not Out
Fry’s Electronics Gulfstream IIB N24YS (c/n 16) visited Boeing Field, Washington State on February 2. The aircraft is one of the oldest Gulfstream
jets still flying, having been manufactured in 1968. JOE G WALKERWijet Selects
HondaJet
AIR TAXI provider Wijet has signed
a memorandum of understanding
(MOU) for 16 HondaJets in a deal
valued at $78m. The first aircraft
is due to be handed to the French
company in March, with deliveries
staged over the next 18 months.
The MOU was announced at the
Singapore Airshow on February 8.
Patrick Hersent, CEO of Wijet, said:
“For our customers we offer the best-
of-the-best in terms of products and
experience, while providing our
partners with a safe and superior
product at an affordable rate. The
HondaJet does all of these things.”
Wijet is currently the largest operator
of the Cessna Citation Mustang, with
a 15-strong fleet. However, Cessna
ceased production of the aircraft
last May.
Honda Aircraft President and
CEO Michimasa Fujino, said: “I am
delighted that Wijet has chosen the
HondaJet to provide their customers
with the exceptional experience
of the most advanced light jet on
the market.”Qatar Executive Expands Fleet
DOHA-BASED QATAR Executive has
taken delivery of its fourth Gulfstream
G650ER, A7-CGD (c/n 6271), making it
the largest owner-operator of the type
in the world.
A fifth example is scheduled to join the
fleet later this year along with three
G500 aircraft. Five more are expected
during 2019.
Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways Group
Chief Executive, said: “The demand
from our customers for longer range
private air travel continues to grow.
Taking delivery of our fourth GulfstreamG650ER executive jet... means we can
continue to meet this demand. With
its hugely impressive range, incredible
speed and luxurious interior,
Gulfstream’s state-of-the-art G650ER
offers a superior flying experience for
our most discerning passengers.”
Qatar’s relationship with Gulfstream
is built on an agreement for up to 30
aircraft including the G650ER, G500
and G600.
Gulfstream President, Mark Burns, said:
“Gulfstream delivered the first G650ER
in the Middle East to Qatar Executive in- At that time, Qatar Airways was
interested in introducing a new and
enhanced level of service, and deter-
mined that Gulfstream aircraft were the
ideal choice to do so. We are proud to
continue that relationship with this mile-
stone, and value the confidence Qatar
Airways has in Gulfstream and our
employees who design, manufacture,
service and support these aircraft.”
Qatar Executive’s 12-strong fleet
consists of four G650ERs, three
Bombardier Challenger 605s, four
Global 5000s and a single Global XRS.
22 AIRLINER WORLD APRIL 2018
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