NEWS SOURCE: Pilatus Business Aircraft

Swiss-built Pilatus PC-12 offers significant savings over other bizjet alternatives

ORLANDO, FL (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — This week at the 58th annual National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA) annual convention, Pilatus Business Aircraft will be touting fuel efficiency as a key selling feature of its legendary 9-passenger, 300 mph turboprop. At a show where speed, range and interior accoutrements are the typical marketing hot buttons for buyers, this marks a unique and timely approach for the Swiss manufacturer. The Pilatus PC-12 is the number one selling turbine-powered business airplane in the world.

“With jet fuel prices now at an all time high, the PC-12 provides corporate flight departments with a fuel efficient alternative,” said Tom Aniello, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Pilatus Business Aircraft. “We think it’s important to provide customers with an understanding of how much fuel our aircraft could save them over a typical year of operations.” In fact, annual fuel savings can easily top $100,000 relative to traditional light and mid-size business jets.

*(Photo Caption: The Swiss-built Pilatus PC-12 is the top-selling turbine-powered business aircraft in the world. With a range of over 1400 nm, it can carry nine passengers in pressurized comfort at 30,000 feet and at speeds of up to 300 mph.)

To add incentive to its message, Pilatus is giving away $5000 in free fuel via a drawing. “We’ve developed a simple tool that compares the PC-12 to eight other turbine-powered business aircraft on a typical mission and, just by stopping by our booth, using the tool and seeing the savings, showgoers can enter the drawing” added Aniello.

Aircraft Enhancements for 2006

In addition to fuel efficiency, there’s no better time to consider a Pilatus PC-12 than now, as Pilatus announced today that its aircraft will receive several significant improvements for 2006. Beginning with the first delivery in January, the 2006 PC-12 will offer better performance, improved handling, increased comfort, and even more reliability than its predecessor.

The 2006 PC-12 will offer greater range-payload through a gross weight increase. Better handling comes from improved control harmony and new winglets. The new winglets, derived from technology developed for the high performance Pilatus PC-21 military trainer, reduce drag and improve crosswind control. Improved reliability comes from new LED lighting systems. The LED cabin lights last 20,000 hours, and are color balanced to create a warm, inviting glow.

Pilots will also enjoy increased comfort in the PC-12’s new crew seats. The new seats give pilots more freedom to custom-tailor their seating positions for superior comfort on long flights.

“We think it’s a great package and very suitable improvement for the coming year,” said Mr. Aniello. Last year, Pilatus delivered more than 80 PC-12s worldwide.

Award-Winning Customer Service, Too

Pilatus also comes to the 2005 NBAA Convention with news that, for the fourth consecutive year, they have earned the top spot in “Professional Pilot” magazine’s 2005 Corporate Aircraft Product Support Survey. While the magazine awarded Pilatus first place in the corporate turboprop category, Pilatus’ overall score exceeded that of all other turbine-powered business aircraft manufacturers.

The annual survey asks customers to rate their manufacturer on all aspects of customer service, including spare parts pricing and availability, technical publications, AOG speed, field service representatives, and responsiveness.

There are currently over 580 PC-12 business turboprops operating in 17 countries around the world. PC-12 aircraft are serviced through a network of 19 authorized Pilatus Centers in North and South America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

Established in 1939, Pilatus Aircraft is the world’s leading manufacturer of single-engine turboprop aircraft. Pilatus Aircraft of Stans, Switzerland is a privately held company employing over 1,200 people. Pilatus provides aircraft and aviation services worldwide for the general aviation, commercial, training, utility, and special mission markets.

Based in Broomfield, Colorado, Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Pilatus Aircraft, was founded in 1996 to provide completions, marketing, sales, and service for Pilatus aircraft in North and South America.

Pilatus Business Aircraft, 11755 Airport Way, Broomfield, CO 80021

News issued by: Pilatus Business Aircraft

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Original Story ID: (989) :: 2005-11-1109-002

Original Keywords: Pilatus Business Aircraft, National Business Aviation Association, 9-passenger, 300 mph turboprop, fuel efficiency, Swiss-built Pilatus PC-12, Tom Aniello, Broomfield, Colorado, single-engine turboprop aircraft Pilatus Business Aircraft

NEWS SOURCE: Pilatus Business Aircraft | Published: 2005-11-09 11:23:00


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