Key Takeaway:
- Pilatus does not publish a list price for the PC-12. The price of a new PC-12 rose from $3.3 million in 2005 to $4.7 million in 2015, and today's price depends on the model and options.
- Used PC-12s hold their value well. After 10 years of average use, a PC-12 has kept 80 to 85 percent of its selling price.
- The current PC-12 NGX is a single-engine turboprop with a 290 KTAS cruise speed, a 1,765 nm range and seating for up to nine passengers.
The Pilatus PC-12 is a pressurized, single-engine turboprop built by Pilatus Aircraft in Stans, Switzerland. It first flew on May 31, 1991, entered service in 1994, and reached its 2,000th delivery in May 2023. If you are pricing one, the answer depends on whether you want a new PC-12 NGX, a used PC-12 NG or an older model, and on what it will cost to fly each year.
Overview of the Pilatus PC-12
Pilatus designed the PC-12 as a high-performance utility aircraft. Besides the main passenger door, it has a large aft cargo door for bulky items, including palletized cargo. That design is why so many types of operators use it. Its main use is corporate transport, and it also flies for fractional owners, small regional airlines, air ambulance services and government agencies.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia was the launch customer in 1994.
Pilatus PC-12NG Features and Specifications
The current model is the PC-12 NGX, announced in October 2019. Pilatus publishes these figures for it:
- Engine: one Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6E-67XP turboprop
- Maximum cruise speed: 290 KTAS
- Range: 1,765 nm
- Maximum altitude: 30,000 ft
- Length: 47 ft 3 in
- Wingspan: 53 ft 5 in
- Height: 14 ft 0 in
- Cabin: 16 ft 11 in long, 5 ft 0 in wide and 4 ft 9 in high, with 326 cubic feet of volume
- Baggage compartment: 34.3 cubic feet
- Cargo door: 4 ft 5 in wide and 4 ft 4 in high
The NGX engine has full-authority digital engine control and a low-speed propeller mode that lowers cabin noise.
The cabin seats up to nine passengers. Executive layouts seat six to eight, and Pilatus lists executive interiors with 6, 6 + 2 and 4 + 4 seats. The interior was designed with BMW's Designworks division.
The Price of a New Pilatus PC-12
There is no public price list for a new PC-12 NGX. For a sense of how prices have moved, the price of a new PC-12 grew from $3.3 million in 2005 to $4.7 million in 2015. Three quarters of PC-12NG sales were in executive configurations.
The Price of a Used Pilatus PC-12
The PC-12 is known for keeping its value. It has retained 80 to 85 percent of its selling price after 10 years of average use, and it sells faster than comparable turboprops and business jets. In 2017, a nine-year-old PC-12 was worth $2.5 to $2.8 million, and a 15 to 16 year old model was worth about $1.8 million.
Used prices today depend on the model (the original PC-12, the PC-12NG or the NGX), the hours on the airframe and engine, the avionics and the maintenance history. Ask a broker for current listings before you set a budget.
Operating Costs of the Pilatus PC-12
The purchase price is only part of the cost. When you budget for a PC-12, plan for:
- Variable costs: fuel, engine and airframe maintenance, parts and reserves for engine overhaul. These rise with every hour you fly.
- Fixed costs: pilot salaries or contract crew, hangar, hull and liability insurance. You pay these whether you fly or not.
Your hourly cost falls as you fly more hours each year, because the fixed costs are spread over more flights. Get a current estimate for your expected hours before you buy.
In 2006, Flying magazine called the PC-12 "more economical to operate than any turbine airplane of similar size."
The Popularity and Versatility of the Pilatus PC-12
The PC-12 can operate from short, unpaved airstrips. The same airframe can be configured for executive travel, as a passenger and cargo combi with four seats, or as an air ambulance with two stretchers and room for three medics. Most demand comes from North America.
Owner-operators account for 20 to 30 percent of PC-12 sales.
Conclusion and Recommendations
If you plan to fly many hours a year on regional trips, buying a PC-12 can make sense, and its resale value helps. If you fly less often, chartering a turboprop can be the simpler choice, with no crew, hangar or maintenance to manage.
BLADE arranges private charters of turboprops and jets through licensed operators. All BLADE flights in the United States are operated by FAA-licensed carriers. Tell BLADE your route, date and group size, and compare the aircraft that are available.
Some Facts About the Price of Pilatus PC-12:
- The price of a new PC-12 grew from $3.3 million in 2005 to $4.7 million in 2015.
- A PC-12 retains 80 to 85 percent of its selling price after 10 years of average use.
- In 2017, a nine-year-old PC-12 was worth $2.5 to $2.8 million.
- The PC-12 NGX cruises at up to 290 KTAS and has a range of 1,765 nm.
- The 2,000th PC-12 was delivered in May 2023.
FAQs about What Is Pilatus Pc 12 Price
What is the price of a Pilatus PC-12?
Pilatus does not publish a list price. A new PC-12 cost $4.7 million in 2015, up from $3.3 million in 2005. Today's price depends on the model, interior and options.
What is the typical cost per mile for a Pilatus PC-12?
It depends on how many hours you fly each year, fuel prices and your maintenance program. Cost per mile falls as annual hours rise, because fixed costs are spread over more flying.
What are the typical fixed costs associated with owning a Pilatus PC-12 NG per year?
Fixed costs include crew, hangar, hull and liability insurance. Get current quotes for your location and crew setup.
How many passengers can the Pilatus PC-12 accommodate?
Up to nine passengers. Executive layouts usually seat six to eight.
What is the maximum speed and range of the Pilatus PC-12 NG?
Pilatus lists the current PC-12 NGX at a maximum cruise speed of 290 KTAS and a range of 1,765 nm.
What are the dimensions and weight of the Pilatus PC-12 NG?
The PC-12 is 47 ft 3 in long, with a wingspan of 53 ft 5 in and a height of 14 ft 0 in. Its maximum takeoff weight is 10,450 lb.