Aircraft
Upgraded Pilatus PC-12 makes European debut
At the Pilatus shareholder meeting earlier this year, triumphant chairman Oscar Schwenk declared, “In 2007, we sold more aircraft, we achieved a higher tur

At the Pilatus shareholder meeting earlier this year, triumphant chairman Oscar Schwenk declared, “In 2007, we sold more aircraft, we achieved a higher turnover, we attained a better operating result and we have a larger order backlog than ever!” With sales of the PC-12 pressurized business utility single turboprop aircraft peaking above output capacity for several consecutive years and trainer sales picking up, the Swiss manufacturer is truly in top shape.

But, as Schwenk cautioned, “complacency is not part of our makeup,” noting that this was demonstrated by the fact that the Swiss manufacturer did not wait for PC-12 sales to slump before launching an upgraded version called the PC-12 NG (Next Generation).