Pilatus delivers first PC-12 PRO turboprop

Pilatus has delivered the first PC-12 PRO, marking the entry into service of the latest variant of its single-engine turboprop. The delivery took place to Dion Weisler, former CEO of HP Inc., after the aircraft’s launch in spring 2025.

Weisler, who has previously owned three other PC-12s, received the new model and completed a six-day, 41-hour journey back to Australia. The route included technical stops in Greece, Egypt, Oman, India, Malaysia, Bali, and Darwin.

The PC-12 PRO introduces several technical updates, including the Garmin G3000 Prime cockpit with five touchscreen displays and the ‘Safety Autoland’ system, which is designed to enhance operational safety by automating landing procedures in emergency situations.

Powered by the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 engine, a model with over 400 million flight hours, the PC-12 PRO continues the lineage of what Pilatus describes as the world’s best-selling single-engine turboprop. The aircraft is also compatible with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and features the Electronic Propeller and Engine Control System (EPECS), aimed at improving fuel efficiency.

The inclusion of autothrottle functionality reduces pilot workload and incorporates protections against engine over-torque and over-temperature, reflecting ongoing industry moves towards increased automation and safety.

According to Pilatus, the PC-12 PRO was developed with input from operators, with a focus on integrating advanced technologies for enhanced operational efficiency. The aircraft’s entry into service is seen as a continuation of Pilatus’s strategy to maintain its position in the utility and business aviation markets.

The PC-12, however, is close to gaining a strong competitor, the Beechcraft Denali, which Textron Aviation plans to enter service in 2026.

This aircraft, with similar characteristics, is powered by the new GE Catalyst turboprop engine, which promises unmatched efficiency in the market.

About the Author

Ricardo Meier

Creator of the website that started in 1996 as a magazine. He also writes on Brazilian websites AUTOO, MOTOO and MetrôCPTM.

Articles by the author »