—PILATUS PC-12 SERIES

Pilatus PC-12 Series for Sale — Buy or Sell the World's Best-Selling Single-Engine Turboprop

The Pilatus PC-12 is the world's best-selling pressurised single-engine turboprop aircraft — a remarkable Swiss-engineered platform that combines jet-comparable speed and cabin comfort with the economics, STOL capability, and operational simplicity of a single turboprop powerplant. Since entering service in 1994, the PC-12 has been delivered to operators in more than 80 countries and accumulated tens of millions of flight hours across an extraordinary range of missions: corporate shuttle, air ambulance, special mission surveillance, cargo delivery, charter, and personal travel. Pilatus PC-12 aircraft for sale are among the most sought-after listings in the pre-owned turboprop market, and Airplane Trade is the premier global marketplace for buyers and sellers of all PC-12 variants.

Development and History of the PC-12

Pilatus Aircraft of Stans, Switzerland — a company with a distinguished heritage in rugged military trainers and utility aircraft — began developing the PC-12 in the late 1980s as a multi-mission single-engine turboprop capable of serving in both commercial and personal aviation roles simultaneously. The prototype first flew on 31 May 1991, and the PC-12 received Swiss FOCA certification in March 1994 followed by FAA certification in July 1994. The original PC-12 was powered by the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67B engine and featured a remarkably large cabin with a full-height cargo/passenger door at the rear — a design feature that immediately distinguished it from competitors like the Cessna Caravan and Beechcraft King Air. Pilatus has refined the PC-12 through three major production generations: the original PC-12, the PC-12/45 (1996), the PC-12/47 (2006), and the current PC-12 NGX (2020), each bringing progressively improved engines, avionics, and systems.

PC-12 Variants

• PC-12 / PC-12/45 (1994–2005) — Original production variants; Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67B engine, 1,200 shp (flat-rated 1,000 shp); 9 passenger seats or cargo configuration; Honeywell Primus 1000 avionics; the most common early PC-12 on the used market.
• PC-12/47 (2006–2007) — Upgraded PT6A-67P engine, 1,200 shp (flat-rated 1,000 shp); improved hot-and-high performance; Collins Pro Line 21 avionics; increased MTOW to 10,450 lb.
• PC-12/47E NG (2008–2019) — "New Generation" variant; same PT6A-67P engine; Honeywell Primus Apex avionics suite with large-format displays; electronic engine controls; vastly improved cockpit interface; the most common PC-12 on the current used market and considered the sweet spot for value.
• PC-12 NGX (2020–present) — Current production; PT6E-67XP engine with FADEC; Honeywell Primus Epic 2 avionics; redesigned interior; improved fuel efficiency; commands significant premium over NG variants.

Performance — Pilatus PC-12/47E NG

• Engine — Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67P, 1,200 shp (flat-rated 1,000 shp)
• Maximum Cruise Speed — 290 knots TAS at FL250
• Long-Range Cruise — 265 knots TAS at FL300
• Range — 1,845 nm (with standard fuel, IFR reserves)
• Maximum Altitude — FL300 (30,000 ft)
• Rate of Climb — 1,840 ft/min (sea level, MTOW)
• MTOW — 10,450 lb (4,740 kg)
• Useful Load — Up to 3,700 lb (1,678 kg)
• Fuel Type — Jet-A
• Seating — Up to 9 passengers plus pilot
• Cargo Door — Full-height rear cargo/passenger door (1.31 m x 1.32 m)

Why the PC-12 Dominates Its Market

The PC-12's extraordinary commercial success is the result of a carefully optimised combination of capabilities that no competing aircraft fully replicates. The aircraft's large cabin — 59 cubic feet of volume, compared to 40 in the Cessna Caravan — accommodates nine passengers in airline seats or converts in minutes to a full cargo configuration via the large rear door. The single PT6A engine's legendary reliability and the associated elimination of an entire engine, nacelle, propeller, and associated systems reduces both acquisition cost and ongoing maintenance expenses dramatically relative to twin-engine alternatives. The PC-12's genuine STOL capability — certified for strips as short as 2,500 ft — combined with its pressurised high-altitude cruise performance makes it uniquely capable of serving remote communities that lack paved airport infrastructure while still completing fast, comfortable city-to-city corporate shuttle missions.

Buying a Pilatus PC-12 — Key Considerations

• Engine Hours (TTSN / SMOH) — PT6A-67B/P engines operate on-condition (no fixed TBO); budget $250,000–$400,000 for overhaul; assess hot section inspection records, on-wing time, and any damage history.
• Avionics Generation — Determine whether the aircraft has the original Primus 1000, the Collins Pro Line 21, or the preferred Primus Apex suite; avionics generation significantly affects value and usability.
• Configuration — Assess the current interior layout (executive, combi, air ambulance, cargo) against your intended use; reconfiguration costs vary widely.
• Maintenance Status — Confirm all Pilatus-mandated service bulletins and Airworthiness Directives are complied with; Pilatus has an excellent service network worldwide.
• Prop and Landing Gear — Inspect the Hartzell or McCauley propeller for damage and erosion; verify landing gear actuator condition and nose gear shimmy damper.

Find Your Pilatus PC-12 on Airplane Trade

Airplane Trade is the premier global marketplace for Pilatus PC-12 aircraft of all variants — from the original PC-12/45 to the current-production PC-12 NGX. Browse verified listings from corporate owners, air ambulance operators, charter companies, and private sellers across North America, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East. Each listing includes complete engine status, avionics configuration, interior details, and direct seller contact. Find your perfect PC-12 on Airplane Trade today.