Ireland

Pilatus demos in Ireland

London Biggin Hill Airport-based Oriens Aviation, the exclusive Pilatus distributor for the UK & Ireland brought the third generation PC-12, the PC-12NGX, to Newcastle Aerodrome in Ireland late September for viewing by a number of interested parties.

Ireland has seen considerable interest in the versatile turboprop both from civil operators and the military.

The Irish Air Corps followed up their three recently delivered PC-12 Spectra versions with the purchase of a PC-12NG. The aircraft is being extensively used in the COVID-19 fight by No 104 Squadron, transporting test samples to labs in Germany, as well as in support of Ireland's UN overseas missions.

PC-12NGX

The PC-12NGX at Newcastle Aerodrome.

In Newcastle, the aircraft was flown by Edwin Brenninkmeyer, Oriens Aviation founder & CEO, an experienced aircraft owner & pilot. Newcastle Aerodrome Director of Operations John Nugent was host for the day.

The coastal airstrip was the ideal location to show off the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT-6 powered PC-12NGX outstanding capabilities for short field performance, 6-8 luxury passenger capacity and quick configuration change to all-cargo or combi-PAX/cargo layout making use of the large cargo door and cargo tie-downs.

As an island nation, Ireland has been particularly affected by the reduction in airline connectivity due to the pandemic. The PC-12 is proving to be a cost-effective, versatile, fast and very comfortable solution.