The Pilatus PC-12 is a single-engine turboprop passenger and cargo aircraft manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland. The main market for the aircraft is corporate transport and regional airliner operators
Pilatus announced the development of the PC-12 at the annual convention of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) in October 1989. The first flight of the first of two prototypes took place on May 31, 1991. Certification of the type was originally planned for mid-1991 but a redesign of the wings (increase of wing span and addition of winglets to ensure performance guarantees were met) delayed this. Swiss certification finally took place on March 30, 1994, and U.S. Federal Aviation Administration approval followed on July 15, 1994.
As with many other Pilatus aircraft, the PC-12 is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 turboprop engine (the PT6A-67B). It is certified for single-pilot IFR operations, though operators may choose to utilize a second flight crew member. Pilatus offers the PC-12 in a standard nine-seat airliner form, in a four-passenger seat/freight Combi version, and as a six-seat corporate transport with an option for a seven-seat by adding a three-seat bench in place of seats five and six.A pure freighter model is under consideration.
Specifications:
| Max cruise speed | 280 ktas (322 mph) | 519 km/hr TAS |
| Max range (3 Pax, 30,000 ft, NBAA IFR reserve) | 1,560 nm / 1,795 sm | 2,889 km |
| Max operating altitude | 30,000 ft | 9,144 m |
| Cabin altitude at 26,000 ft | 8,000 ft | 2,438 m |
| Takeoff distance over 50 ft obstacle | 2,650 ft | 808 m |
| Rate of climb (MTOW) | 1,920 ft / min | 585 m / min |
| Landing distance over 50 ft obstacle (MLW/reverse) | 1,830 ft | 558 m |
| Stall (MTOW) | 67 kts IAS | 124 km/h IAS |
Weights
| Max ramp weight | 10,495 lbs | 4,760 kg |
| Max takeoff weight | 10,450 lbs | 4,740 kg |
| Max landing weight | 9,921 lbs | 4,500 kg |
| Max zero fuel weight | 9,039 lbs | 4,100 kg |
| Basic operating weight (includes 200 lb / 91 kg pilot) | 6,782 lbs | 3,076 kg |
| Usable fuel (402 gal) | 2,704 lbs | 1,226 kg |
| Payload with full fuel (and 200 lb / 91 kg pilot) | 1,009 lbs | 458 kg |