Aircraft
Pilatus Opens Center To Expand Composite Use
$123 million center is most expensive Pilatus facility investment yet
Pilatus Aircraft composites center
Pilatus Aircraft combined all of its composites activity under one roof with its latest facility.

Pilatus Aircraft is expanding its advanced composites capabilities with the opening of its “Schwarzhorn” building in Nidwalden, Switzerland. Employing 300 people, the center represents a CHF100 million ($123 million) investment, marking the most expensive facility the company has built, according to Pilatus CEO Markus Bucher. Importantly, it combines Pilatus’ composite component development and production under one roof, the company added.

The Swiss manufacturer of civil and military turboprop and jet aircraft has used composites, or fiber-reinforced materials, for more than 40 years. But this has mainly involved non-load-bearing secondary structures such as covers and cowlings.