Pilatus PC-24 takes to the air

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The first ever Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet took off on its maiden flight on May 11, 2015. Nearly 1,800 Pilatus staff, all of whom are involved in the PC-24 project, witnessed the event. The aircraft flew across central Switzerland for 55 minutes, with the Swiss firm reporting that the flight went exactly as planned with no problems.

The twin-engine business jet took off in just under 600m and climbed to 10,000ft in around three minutes, where the two pilots completed a series of tests. Throughout the flight, the PC-24 was accompanied and monitored by a PC-21 and twelve flight test engineers watched the flight from the ground as they kept an eye on a stream of real-time flight data received from the PC-24.

“It’s an emotional moment for sure, and another major milestone in Pilatus and Swiss aviation history,” said Oscar J Schwenk, chairman of the board of directors at Pilatus.

Three PC-24 prototypes will be built and used to complete a test program of some 2,300 hours over the next two years. Certification and initial deliveries are planned from 2017. Pilatus sold 84 PC-24s in 36 hours at EBACE 2014. Highlights include a cargo door as standard and an interior that can be customized to accommodate individual customer needs.

May 15, 2015

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Izzy has been part of the Business Jet Interiors International team since its second issue, and the editor since 2011. She also edits Auditoria and Railway Interiors International. Outside of work, Izzy is rediscovering her love of art by learning how to paint with watercolors.

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