Swiss company Pilatus made a bold move at the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition in Geneva by revealing its first jet-powered aircraft.
Pilatus has spent 70 years building a reputation on its single-engine turboprop aircraft, however, the PC-24 is a twin-engine jet, a new move for the company.
The engines are 3,400-pound Williams FJ44-4A engines that propel the jet up to 489 mph. The jet can comfortably seat 10 passengers and leaves plenty of room for cargo. The PC-24 is not just a first for Pilatus but also an industry first, as it is the first business jet designed for use on short, unmanned runways.
The first 84-plane production run of the PC-24 has already sold out. They sold for $8.9 million a piece. Delivery is expected in 2017.