Country of origin:

Switzerland

Description:

Single-engine pressurised utility transport

Power Plant:

One 1,197 kw (1,605 shp) Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67B turboprop flat rated to 895 kw (1,200 shp)

Specifications:

History:

In 1989 the Swiss Pilatus concern announced it was developing a pressurised fast utility transport powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Canada PT-6A turboprop as a competitor for the Cessna 208 Caravan I and the Beech King Air 200.  Three variants were planned; a corporate commuter seating nine passengers; a combi with four seats and 60 cubic metres (2,119 cub ft) of cargo space; and the executive seating six.  Roles proposed included medevac, surveillance, border patrol, training and parachuting.

The prototype (HB-FOA) flew for the first time on 31 March 1991 at Stans.  Designed for operations from short fields, performance is produced by a high-aspect ratio tapered wing with an aerofoil derived from the NASA GAWA-1 design, and Fowler flaps extending over 67% of the span.  A T-tail is fitted to permit easy access for vehicles loading through a large freight door on the port side aft of the wing. A separate airstair/passenger door is fitted forward of the wing, and single-pilot operation was planned.   The tricycle undercarriage is hydraulically retractable and is fitted with single low-pressure wheels.

Accommodation is provided for two pilots and up to nine passengers in a business layout; or six with a toilet.  Usable fuel is 1,514 litres (333 Imp gals) providing a max IFR range with 45 mins reserves of 2,965 km (1,842 miles).  The aircraft is pressurised to 5.5 lb/sq in differential giving a 2,440 m (8,000 ft) cabin altitude at 7,620 m (25,000 ft).  At one time it was announced that an Australian manufacturer had been offered an input into the PC-XII (also known as the PC-12) design as a risk-sharing partner, but this was not taken up.

After extensive flight testing of the prototype some design changes were made to improve lateral stability and stall characteristics, including an increase in wingspan, fitting of winglets etc.  The second prototype flew early in 1993 and deliveries began in 1993.  By 1994 four variants were available: the standard PC-XII; the PC-XIIF freighter with 9.24 m³ (326.3 cub ft) of usable cargo capacity; the combi with accommodation for four passengers and 6 m³ (211.9 cub feet) of freight; and the Military for transport, parachute training, ambulance etc with high density seating for 14.

In 1991 the Royal Flying Doctor Service ordered four examples of the type for delivery during 1994.  These were to operate from Norwood in South Australia, and became VH-FMC (c/n 109), VH-FMF (c/n 110), VH-FMP (c/n 122) and VH-FMW (c/n 123).  Further examples have been imported for this role, and a few have also been imported for the VIP role.  Others have been imported for State Police services.  Further roles have been found for the type, including the PC-XII Eagle, promoted as a platform for a variety of missions including navigation and systems trainer, calibration, electronic support measures, and electronic intelligence gathering.  An example of this model was demonstrated in Australia in late 1996.

The type has been popular around the world, 80 examples being delivered during 2005, and by mid 2008 more than 800 examples had been delivered.  In 2008 a new model, known as the PC-XII NG was released, having an all glass panel with flight display and multi-function display screens, having new five-blade propellers.  By late 2011 1,100 examples had been completed.

It is interesting to note that in the 1987-88 period Pilatus offered the PC-XII as part of its package to win the RAAF trainer order which ended up with the RAAF obtaining the PC-9.  Pilatus had offered Hawker de Havilland the opportunity to participate in the development and production of the new PC-XII and this would have entailed an investment of up to $25-million for the design, development and production of a prototype. Hawker de Havilland indicated it would be prepared to participate in the production of the PC-XII at a later date but the Australian company stated the 12-seat aircraft “did not make economic sense” based on market estimates at that time.  By early 2016 60 examples of the PC-XII series had been registered in Australia and New Zealand operating in a variety of roles and an opportunity for the Australian industry had been lost.

Development of the series has continued and late in 2015 the Company launched the PC-XII NG for 2016 which offered greater speed, improved take-off and climb performance, more cabin comfort, greater range and a quieter cabin. The most notable change externally was the installation of a Hartzell five-blade composite propeller designed specifically for the aircraft, redesigned underwing flap actuator fairings, gaps and joints around the flaps sealed, and several antennas re-positioned to align with local airflow patterns.  Internally it was made available with six new cabin interior designs from BMW Designworks, which company also created new external paint schemes.

In a ceremony at the Pilatus facility at Stans in Switzerland on 1 July 2017 the 1,500th PC-XII was handed over by the Pilatus chairman Oscar J Schwenk to the Australian Royal Flying Doctor Service CEO, John Lynch, this being a PC-XII/47E which became VH-FXZ. By late 2019 the 1,700th example had been delivered.