Pilatus Enhances PC-24's Range and Cabin

Pilatus recently announced increased payload and range for its PC-24 twinjet, along with a new cabin interior that will be available for deliveries in 2024. With six passengers onboard, the light business jet's range climbed by 200 nautical miles, to 2,000 nautical miles, based on a 600-pound increase in full fuel payload.

According to the Swiss manufacturer, the performance boost has been made possible after tweaks to the airframe. “The payload increase was achieved by refining both wing and fuselage structural elements to reduce the airframe empty weight while simultaneously increasing the maximum gross takeoff weight limit,” explained Bruno Cervia, the company’s vice president of engineering.

After the changes were made, Pilatus engineers conducted an extensive flight-test campaign to expand the performance envelope for the higher design weights. At maximum takeoff weight, the PC-24’s balanced field length at sea level is 3,090 feet, giving what Pilatus calls its "Super Versatile Jet" access to short and unpaved runways. The aircraft now offers a full fuel payload of a single pilot plus 1,315 pounds and a maximum payload capacity of 3,100 pounds.

Improvements to the PC-24 cabin include changes to the standard cabinetry, storage area, and entrance to maximize available space. Ambient noise has been reduced through improvements to passenger service unit ducting and tuned engine accessory air intake ducts, as well as the addition of noise-absorbing panels.

Working with Lufthansa Technik, Pilatus is incorporating a new integrated cabin management system. It features a 10-inch touchscreen controller with a 3D moving map, four high-fidelity speakers with a subwoofer option, mood lighting, USB ports, and a media storage server.

The most visible change to the interior will be an optional six-and-a-half-foot-long, side-facing divan that customers will be able to convert into a bed.

Depending on the options selected, Pilatus said it expects new-production PC-24s to be priced between $13 million and $13.5 million. The divan option is part of a wider interior package, adding about $130,000 to the cost.

From serial number 501 onwards, PC-24s will feature a predictive maintenance system. This will automatically transmit aircraft data after each landing to Pilatus, which will analyze it and recommend proactive maintenance measures to operators as required.