Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Pilatus has delivered the first example of its PC-12 Pro turboprop single. Yesterday, the company announced that former Hewlett-Packard CEO Dion Weisler had received the new aircraft at its Swiss headquarters and then personally flew it back to his home in Australia.
Launchd in March, the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-03-14/pilatus-unveils-pc-12-pro-garmin-avionics">PC-12 Pro</a> is fitted with a Garmin G3000 Prime avionics suite featuring five touchscreen displays, replacing the Honeywell Apex system used in the previous PC-12 NG and NGX models. This includes Garmin’s GFC 700 autopilot with autothrottle and emergency autoland system.&nbsp;Additionally, the $6.8 million PC-12 Pro includes a 100-pound maximum payload increase. additional cabin options, and special paint schemes.
The new aircraft is Weisler’s fourth PC-12—he previously owned a PC-12 NG and a pair of PC-12 NGXs. He reached his home in Adelaide after 41 flight hours across six days, with stops in Crete, Egypt, Oman, India, Malaysia, Bali, and Darwin.
“It was an incredible learning opportunity to fly my own aircraft home over such a vast distance with a factory pilot sitting right seat,” Weisler said. “In addition to visiting all these amazing countries, it really allowed me to consolidate the crossover training within the new Garmin cockpit environment and have someone right there to ask any questions about anything that popped up. I am thrilled to own this new intuitive and highly innovative aircraft, and look forward to flying many missions in the future with it.”
According to Pilatus v-p for business aviation André Zimmerman, the improvements introduced with the new Pro model were entirely driven by input from existing customers and the desire to add more value to the aircraft. The new type retains the PC-12 family’s Pratt &amp; Whitney Canada PT6 engine and can operate on sustainable aviation fuel.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

First Pilatus PC-12 Pro Aircraft Owner Flies Aircraft Home to Australia

Australian businessman Dion Weisler recently took delivery of the new model

The launch customer for the Pilatus PC-12 Pro had plenty of time to check out the new Garmin 3000 avionics suite when he flew it from Switzerland to Australia.

First PC-12 Pro Owner Flies Aircraft Home to Australia

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

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News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

Company ‘realigning’ division’s aviation programs under other Textron business units

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Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

In this article

Pilatus PC-12 Series

Pilatus Aircraft

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