Third PC-24 Prototype Makes First Flight

Pilatus has announced the first flight of its third prototype PC-24 twinjet. The March 6 maiden voyage took off from Buochs Airport in Switzerland and lasted two hours and five minutes. Certification is expected in the fourth quarter of this year.

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Deliveries of the first PC-24s will begin shortly after certification, and the aircraft will be fitted with one of six interior and exterior themes designed in cooperation with BMW Group’s Designwork. Pilatus stopped taking orders after signing sales contracts for the first 84 shortly after the program was announced in May 2013. Oscar Schwenk, Pilatus chairman of the board, said, “The PC-24 flight-test program is proceeding as planned and the results are very encouraging. The data we have so far indicates that our Swiss business jet exceeds published performance figures. I am naturally looking forward with immense anticipation to the moment when our first customers take delivery of their PC-24s.”