First Pilatus PC-24 prototype rolls out
Swiss National Day on August 1st marked the official unveiling of the new Pilatus PC-24 business jet.

Some 25,000 spectators gathered at Buochs airfield in central Switzerland as the aircraft was pulled from its hangar by a team of 24 horses - symbolising the PC-24 product name and its future mission profile as a 'workhorse'. The rollout was preceded by a fly-by of all aircraft to have reached series production in the company's 75 year history.

"Today's celebration is a clear sign of our commitment to Switzerland as a centre of vision and action," said Oscar J. Schwenk, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pilatus. " Our company was established here in Stans exactly 75 years ago. We have seen our activities grow and expand here in Stans, and this is where we want to be in the future: in Stans, producing our aircraft for sale to customers around the world."

The new jet sports an eye-catchingly elegant design in Swiss style, featuring chrome and gold-coloured Alpine flowers.

The 100% newly developed PC-24 is the first time that traditional Pilatus values such as versatility, efficiency and Swiss precision have been combined in a  jet. The PC-24 is the world's first ever business jet to come equipped as standard with a cargo door, with the kind of performance specification that allows it to operate in and out of very short runways or even unmade strips.

A total of three prototypes will be produced for the PC-24 test flight programme. The maiden flight of the first prototype, which was presented at the rollout,  will go ahead in spring 2015. Final certification and start of deliveries to customers are planned from 2017. Pilatus sold 84 PC-24s at the European Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (EBACE) in May this year.

BlueSky Business Aviation News | 7th August 2014 | Issue #284
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