Pilatus PC-12

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: Pilatus. Model: PC-12. Nickname: none
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Airplane SE Turboprop
> FAA Category and Class: Airplane SE Land
> Engine Description: Single P&W PT6E-67 (various variants, up to 1845 SHP!)

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 11/5/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 1
> Number of Times Flown: 1
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: none

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 138
> Date First Flown: 8/28/2003
> Location First Flown: Peachtree Dekalb Airport, GA (KPDK)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: IS&S Corporation

Recollections: The PC-12 is the third “PC” I’ve flown…the 7, 9 and 12.  I always WANTED to fly the PC-6 “Porter” but never got the chance.  Speaking of Pilatus, why does the PC-6 have a nickname, the 7 is “Turbo Trainer” and…as time went on…the 9 and 12 have no nickname that I’m aware of?  Seems like an opportunity.

Another note: the latest variants of the PC-12 engine is a Pratt and Whitney PT6 up to 1845 SHP. That’s simply amazing. There are PT6’s that are in the 450 SHP range. The versatility and growth of this engine series are truly amazing.

Anyway, I flew the 12 on a quick project flight, giving inputs on a new IS&S Corporation flight display.  I was part of a human factors evaluation in advance of formal certification.  The airplane was very easy to fly–even out of the unfamiliar-to-me Peachtree airport in Georgia–allowing me to focus on the new flight display.