Pilatus obtains PC-24 type certificates
Switzerland-based Pilatus has obtained type certificates from the European Aviation Safety Agency and the US’s Federal Aviation Administration for its newest aircraft, the PC-24
Switzerland-based Pilatus has obtained type certificates from the European Aviation Safety Agency and the US’s Federal Aviation Administration for its newest aircraft, the PC-24. The first PC-24 prototype completed its maiden flight in May 2015 and, since then, all three prototypes used in the certification programme have flown a total of 2,205 hours worldwide. Some flight tests were conducted in extreme environments: in icing conditions and very hot temperatures, at altitudes and speeds not usually encountered in everyday operations. Other tests have included bird impacts, structural stress tests, noise tests and general function.
Oscar J. Schwenk, chairman at Pilatus, said on receipt of the type certificates: “The PC-24 is the first ever Pilatus business jet. Naturally, the requirements associated with obtaining certification for this sort of aircraft are extremely rigorous, and I need hardly mention that we faced some big challenges. In 2013, we announced that the PC-24 would be ready in 2017, and now, shortly before the end of the year, we have achieved exactly that. And all performance data promised to our first 84 customers have been achieved or even exceeded. The PC-24 delivers a maximum speed of 440 knots (815 km/h) compared to the contractually agreed 425 knots (787 km/h) – to cite just one example.”