The avionics system draws on a completely new Pilatus
concept, the "Advanced Cockpit Environment" (ACE)
system, developed especially to reduce cockpit
workloads. Even in the basic version, the "Pilatus ACE"
offers four 12 inch screens, the SmartView synthetic
vision system, TCAS II, IRS, LVP and the option to
complete flight planning procedures on the screen
itself, in graphical form.
Work on the prototype in Stans is in full swing. The
roll-out is scheduled for the third quarter of 2014. The
PC-24 will take off on its maiden flight towards the end
of 2014. Certification by the European (EASA) and the
FAA is planned for early 2017 and the first aircraft
will be delivered immediately thereafter. The PC-24
program was approved by the Board of Directors of
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd in summer 2012 and is financed
entirely from company funds.
Schwenk has no doubt that the PC-24 will be just as
successful as the PC-12, of which over 1200 models have
been sold to date. Schwenk said "importantly, the PC-24
is a completely new development not a 'me too product'.
Specifically, there is no other business jet on the
market with the same credentials and qualities as our
new jet. Once again, we aim to fill a market niche and I
am confident we will do so successfully. I am
proud that we are able to develop such complex aircraft
for the worldwide market here in Switzerland. I am sure
our future customers will be every bit as enthusiastic
as I am about the PC-24, the world's first 'Super
Versatile Jet‘!"
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