Pilatus has taken something great and made it even greater, with the release of their new and improved PC-24 business jets. And to celebrate, they decided to land one on a highway in the Australian Outback, something the jet will have do in an Ambulance Service role.
The new jets have an outstanding short runway capability, able to takeoff in 3,090 ft. And they are certificated for operations on grass, gravel, dirt, and snow. No other business jet can operate from unpaved and paved surfaces that short.
Better performance, range & payload for the world’s “first and only Super Versatile Jet”
The new jets can fly 2,000 nautical miles, and carry up to 11 passengers + 1 pilot (yes, it can be flown by a single pilot). They have a cargo capacity of 3,100 lbs., and are powered by Williams International FJ-44-4A engines. Max operating altitude is 40,000 ft.
They come in several interior options and designs too. It just deoends on the customer’s needs. The new PC-24s also feature what Pilatus calls an Advanced Cockpit Environment (ACE).
“ACE is so capable and offers such a wealth of functionality. In its most basic configuration it boasts the most intuitive and user-friendly cockpit concepts ever in business aviation,” says Pilatus.
“Four 12-inch screens ensure that all relevant information is displayed in the right place and with no delay. The Inertial Reference System (IRS) guarantees excellent reliability and accuracy of altitude and navigation data. ACE also includes a Synthetic Vision System, Autothrottle, Graphical Flight Planning, Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS II), and Localiser Performance with Vertical (LPV) guidance capability.”
Multiple roles for multiple needs
The new PC-24s will serve well for the business people and folks just looking to jet away for fun and games. But the aircraft may best serve as air ambulances. Their interiors are basically intensive care units. The jets can reach remote emergencies and hospitals quickly, virtually anywhere. Patients can be easily moved on and off the aircraft.
Several organizations worldwide use PC-24s as jet ambulances already. They include the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia, KSA Swedish Air Ambulance, Alaska’s North Slope Borough, New South Wales Air Ambulance and more.
You can see plenty more images of the cockpit and various interiors on the Pilatus website, as well as more information about the new jets.
First orders will start being delivered to customers in 2024.
