Pilatus Aircraft: aircraft manufacturer

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The European aircraft manufacturer Pilatus Aircraft, or Pilatus, is a Swiss aircraft manufacturer. The company has been led since 2013 by its current CEO Markus Bucher.

Pilatus Aircraft was founded in 1939. Its headquarters is located in Switzerland, in the city of Stans.

The manufacturer specializes not in large commercial airliners of civil aviation, but in light aviation and regional jets.

Pilatus is one of the world leaders in creating single-engine turboprop aircraft. AEROAFFAIRES presents Pilatus Aircraft, this Swiss aircraft manufacturer, its history, its actions, but also its fleet of aircraft.

Pilatus today:

Some figures:

The Swiss aviation company stands out with some key figures:

• • 100% Swiss: All shareholders of Pilatus are of Swiss nationality.

• • 1,116 million euros: This is the revenue corresponding to the sales of Pilatus private jets in 2021.

• • 2,316: This is the number of employees at Pilatus Aircraft in 2021. The manufacturer trains about 140 apprentices in 14 different trades.

• • 4,240: This corresponds to the number of aircraft that the Swiss manufacturer has delivered to date.

• • More than 1,800: This is the number of Pilatus PC-12s in circulation. Almost a third of aircraft sales are a Pilatus PC-12 model. It is the true bestseller of the Swiss company.
• • 60: These are more than 60 Pilatus sales and service points located around the world. It is, by the way, the only Swiss aircraft manufacturer present on all continents.

A private jet manufacturer committed to the environment:

Like many other aircraft manufacturers, environmental issues are at the heart of their actions and flight hours.

Environmental protection is an issue that Pilatus strives to address.

The manufacturer pays special attention to the materials it uses, as well as the resources that are available. Did you know that the manufacturer has sustainable infrastructures in Switzerland powered by renewable energy? This is the case for their buildings. They are, for the most part, heated by the sustainable energy of a wood-gas plant, located near the main factory. The latter uses, among other things, wood waste to operate.

Moreover, since 2014, it is with their own solar power plants and hydropower plants that the Pilatus aircraft manufacturer sources renewable electricity.

For Pilatus, having a mindset focused on environmental respect is not just a necessity but an obligation today.

The history of the aircraft manufacturer Pilatus from 1939 to 1943:

• 1939: The story begins on December 16. An operation aimed at maintenance is set up in Switzerland. It is located in the canton of Nidwald, in the city of Stans. The goal is to meet the requests of the country’s air force. Pilatus is born.

At this time and due to the context, especially the world war, the entire aerospace sector (aerospace, commercial aviation, military aircraft, etc. …) is reinventing itself. Innovations are flourishing and developing. Pilatus Aircraft benefited from this aviation market boom to become one of the pioneers in the field to this day.

• 1940: Pilatus designs its first aircraft. It is a C-35 that required the work of 65 employees.

• 1941: The manufacturer develops a training aircraft. It is a single-seat Pilatus P1. Unfortunately, the project was later abandoned. However, the SB-2 Pelican was created in the process. The latter is designed to fly easily within the mountainous reliefs of the Alps.

• 1942: The Pilatus Aircraft Company is officially inaugurated. This event took place in the presence of the General and Commander-in-Chief of the Swiss army: General Guisan.

• 1943 : The idea of making training aircraft did not disappear with the failure of the Pilatus P1 project. For this year marks the arrival of the training aircraft Pilatus P2.

The history of the aircraft manufacturer Pilatus from 1956 to 1959:

• 1956 : The company expands and creates its second aircraft assembly hangar.

• 1959 : Pilatus perceives this period as a key moment in its history. The aerospace company speaks of a global breakthrough, notably due to the creation of the Pilatus Porter PC-6. Manufactured for 60 years, this very versatile aircraft has gained unanimous approval for its robustness and attractive features. Moreover, mountains imply landing tracks that are sometimes short and difficult to access, such as in Courchevel for example. This is why the Swiss manufacturer has generally implemented so-called STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) aircraft. They have the capacity to take off and land on short runways. Pilatus stands out particularly on this criterion, which involves the versatility and efficiency of its aircraft.

The history of the aircraft manufacturer Pilatus from 1996 to today:

• 1996: The company extends its reach beyond the Atlantic. It is in Broomfield, in Colorado in the United States, which is created the sale company Pilatus Business Aircraft. This subsidiary is then responsible for North and South sales and other services dedicated to the flagship models : the Pilatus PC-12 and Pilatus PC-24.

• 1998: The aviation company does the same on Australian soil in the city of Adelaide, in southern Australia. The subsidiary Pilatus Australia is responsible for marketing the PC-24 and PC-12 throughout the continent of Oceania.

• 2013: Continuing its expansion, Pilatus creates Pilatus Aircraft Industry in China, in the city of Chongqing.

To date, the aircraft company is managed by Markus Bucher, its CEO since 2013.

The values of the Pilatus aircraft manufacturer:

Pilatus stands out for the plurality of actions and values that the company wishes to convey. Whether to represent the excellence of Swiss work, but also its actions to satisfy their clients at all times. Pilatus aims to showcase various values and missions through its aircraft.

Swiss excellence according to Pilatus

In general, when “Swiss Made” is mentioned, it resonates with meticulousness and cutting-edge technology.

If watchmaking holds this label, it is also present in aviation, notably regarding safety within air transport. At Pilatus, the key words are quality and safety for all its aircraft.

Regarding engineering at Pilatus, more than 300 engineers and crew members seek to reinvent the aircraft. They are on the lookout for improvements or new designs for Pilatus private jets. And to do this, Pilatus engineers use the latest aerospace technology and design tools.

Swiss excellence also extends to the manufacturing of the aircraft model. Indeed, thanks to a wide range of skills and equipment, Pilatus is capable of producing most of its components for the aircrafts realization.

This reinforces the bond and collaboration between engineering teams and production teams.

Pilatus and safety

With air safety at the forefront, Pilatus works to create products of optimal quality. This is to guarantee its clients an ever-increasing level of safety.

Pilatus and customer satisfaction

This goes hand in hand with Swiss excellence, customer and passenger satisfaction is at the heart of the manufacturer’s priorities.

Pilatus takes pride in creating high-quality, reliable aircraft for the captain and capable of transporting passengers safely.

And that’s not all. With its 60 sales and contact points worldwide, on all continents, Pilatus is available for all needs related to the aircraft. Thus, Pilatus is committed to providing support or maintenance to its customers.

Whether with airlines or private owners, the manufacturer is committed to supporting their models throughout their entire lifespan.

Finally, Pilatus is committed to being available and responsive every day of the year, and this, 24/7 from take-off to landing.

All of this with the aim of meeting the needs of its clients and finding a suitable solution as quickly as possible.

The fleet of aircraft from the Pilatus manufacturer:

Very different from the aerospace achievements of the American manufacturer Boeing or the Canadian Bombardier, Pilatus specializes in machining small aircraft and knows its cruising speed. It has created the Pilatus PC 12 and Pilatus PC 24 for business aviation, then the Pilatus PC 21 for the air force, and finally the PC7-MKX for training flights.

Pilatus PC-12 :

This business aircraft is a single-engine plane with a built-in propeller. It is a device that is both reliable and safe.

In the field of business aviation, it is considered the most versatile and appreciated private jet around the globe.

This private jet has considerable advantages. It is designed with a key criterion to correspond to the mountainous terrains and the constraints of landing strips that may be present in these areas. Thus, it has the capacity to take off and land on very short runways. This is the case, for example, in Saint-Tropez La Mole, Arcachon Cap Ferret or Gstaad – Saanen.

In terms of pricing, this aircraft is very cost-effective and offers a very important quality-price ratio.

Finally, inside the aircraft, the cabin is spacious and welcomes 8 passengers over a maximum distance of 2,750 km. This allows it to operate on short routes across Europe, for example.

Examples of rates by routes with a Pilatus PC-12:

From Paris Le Bourget to Geneva: from 15,000 €

From Paris Le Bourget to London: from 11,000 €

Photo credit: Pilatus Aircraft

The Pilatus PC-24:

This private jet is a twin-engine aircraft, often referred to as the Super Versatile Jet.

Appearing on the market in 2015, it has very advantageous characteristics.

Like the PC-12, it has the capacity to land on short runways. It only requires 820 meters to land. While for many other similar private jets, a minimum landing strip of 1,500 meters is necessary.

Furthermore, the PC-24 has a reinforced landing gear which allows it to land on runways with various surfaces.

This versatile device can be configured for cargo transportation, cargo flights, but also for medical repatriations.

The PC-24 can carry up to 11 passengers in remarkable comfort. It has a range of 3,700 km. It is therefore ideal and preferred for business travel over short or medium distances.

Examples of rates by routes with a Pilatus PC-24:

From Paris to Saint Tropez La Mole: from 12,000 €

From Berlin to Geneva: from 13,000 €

« The PC-24 has exceeded our expectations. We are extremely satisfied with its performance. The ease of use and its unique capabilities make it one of the best aircraft for our needs. »

Will Robertson, Chief Pilot of the North Slope Borough Search and Rescue Service.

PILATUS PC-24 – Photo Credit: Pilatus Aircraft

Pilatus PC-21:

This aircraft was created to provide pilot training for air force military personnel.

It is a training aircraft designed for student pilots. It is therefore not intended for commercial aviation or for public passenger transport.

This single-engine turboprop has a low operating cost and great performance (like generally all other Pilatus aircraft).

Pilatus PC7-MKX:

Similar to the PC-21, this aircraft is created to meet military needs.

It is another training aircraft for future pilots.

The Swiss turboprop manufacturer has the lowest operating costs compared to other similar training aircraft.

Pilatus then offers a flawless aircraft designed for military instruction.

Chartering a Pilatus with AEROAFFAIRES:

In a few words, Pilatus means: performance, reliability, and of course, quality and Swiss expertise! Within the teams of the manufacturer, this philosophy is even referred to as the “Pilatus Class.”

You know a little more about the Swiss aircraft manufacturer Pilatus. At AEROAFFAIRES, we can book all types of aircraft! For any inquiries, fill out our online quote or contact our aviation experts 24/7 at +33 (0)1 44 09 91 82.

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