The Pilatus PC-12/47E is a pressurised single turbine powered low-wing utility aircraft for up to nine passengers developed and built by
Pilatus Flugzeugwerke AG, Stans, Switzerland. Development of the Pilatus PC-12 started in 1987.
The first prototype (HB-FOA c/n P.01) was flown on 31 May 1991. Certification of the type was originally planned for
mid-1991, but a redesign of the wings to improve the perfomances of the aircraft delayed this. The second prototype
(HB-FOB c/n P.02) was flown on 28 May 1993. Swiss certification finally took place on 30 March 1994, and CAA
approval followed on 15 July 1994. The same year, the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia was the launch
customer of the PC-12. In 1996, the original production variant PC-12/41 was replaced in production by the PC-12/45
with an increased maximum takeoff weight. Both the PC-12/41 and PC-12/45 and the 2005 PC-12/47 model are powered by single Pratt & Whitney Canada
PT6A-67B engine. The engine drives a four-blade Hartzell propeller. The PC-12 features a landing gear designed for grass and unprepared airfields and has winglets
for fuel economy. The Pilatus PC-12 is certified for single-pilot IFR operations, though operators may choose to utilize a second flight crew
member. Pilatus offers the PC-12 in a standard nine-seat airliner form, in a four-passenger seat/freight Combi version, and as a six-seat
corporate transport with an option for a seven-seat by adding a three-seat bench in place of seats five and six. For the freight variant is a large cargo door
available. In October 2006, Pilatus Aircraft announced its next generation PC-12 (PC-12 NG) that features a fully
integrated Honeywell Primus Apex avionics system; a new cockpit designed by BMW Group Designworks USA; a more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada
PT6A-67P engine, flat-rated at 1,200 shp; dual-zone Environmental Control System for increased cockpit and cabin comfort; a fully automatic digital Cabin
Pressurization Control System which requires no input from the pilot; and a fully redundant Power Generation and Distribution System. Known by its trade name
PC-12 NG (Next Generation) this PC-12/47E variant was certificied in 2008. The PC-12M Spectre variant is a paramilitary special missions platform marketed
in the United States, originally called "Eagle". In United States military service the PC-12 is designated U-28A. Over 1550 Pilatus PC-12 aircraft are
delivered since 1994.
In April 2009, the Air Force Command Finland
signed a contract with Pilatus Aircraft Ltd for the delivery of six
PC-12 NG aircraft to the Finnish Air Force to replace their existing
Liaison Aircraft. On 1 July 2010, the first of six PC-12 NG
Multi-Purpose Liaison Aircraft ordered by the Finnish Air Force or
Suomen Ilmavoimat, coded PI-01, was handed over during a commemorative
ceremony at the company’s headquarters in Stans, Switzerland. The PC-12 NG aircraft
are operated by the Finnish Air Force to transport Finnish Air Force personnel
and cargo, and replaced the Ilmavoimat’s Piper PA-31-350 Chieftains in service.
On 31 May 2010, the Pilatus PC-12/47E s/n
1217 was registered HB-FQL with Pilatus Flugzeugwerke AG. On 19 July 2010,
registration HB-FQL was cancelled as exported to Finland. The 2010-built
Pilatus PC-12/47E entered service with the Finnish Air Force as PI-05
with HävLLv 21. On 17 April 2015, the Pilatus PC-12/47E PI-05 was seen
at Leeuwarden Air Base during Frisian Flag 2015, a multinational exercise in the Netherlands.
Luchtvaart déjà vu
