Pilatus PC-24
Pilatus · Switzerland · first flew 2015 · light aircraft
The Pilatus PC-24 is a versatile Swiss light business jet, marketed as the Super Versatile Jet for its ability to use short and rough airstrips while carrying a large cargo door.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbofan, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Two turbofans on the rear fuselage beneath a T-tail |
| T — Tail | T-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Light twinjet with a large aft cargo door, unusual for the class
- Two turbofans on the rear fuselage beneath a T-tail
- Low swept wing optimised for short and unpaved runways
Look for the large aft cargo door, the rear-mounted turbofans and the T-tail. Its relatively tall stance and stout undercarriage hint at the rough-field mission.
Specifications
- The Pilatus PC-24 has a length of 16.8 m (55 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 17 m (56 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 815 km/h (506 mph).
- Typical crew: 1-2 pilots.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown on 11 May 2015, the PC-24 was certified in 2017 and built on Pilatus's PC-12 turboprop heritage. It pairs jet speed with the rugged short-field, unpaved-runway capability rare in jets, plus a standard large cargo door.
Variants
Pilatus has progressively raised the PC-24's maximum take-off weight and offered medevac, combi and special-mission configurations. The core airframe remains a single type.
Where you'll see it
The PC-24 is increasingly seen in UK and European business and air-ambulance roles, operating from Farnborough, Biggin Hill and smaller regional fields its short-field ability unlocks. Its flexibility appeals to operators wanting jet speed with turboprop ruggedness.
Related aircraft
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