Pilatus
PILATUS
Swiss precision, extraordinary reach & the world's most capable single-engine aircraft
"There are aircraft manufacturers. And then there is Gulfstream."
There is a particular kind of aircraft buyer drawn to Pilatus — one who values engineering integrity over fashion, capability over compromise, and the quiet confidence of Swiss craftsmanship over the noise of brand marketing. The PC-12, PC-24, and PC-6 are not simply aircraft. They are instruments of genuine freedom — capable of landing where no other pressurized aircraft can go, connecting destinations that exist on no competitor’s flight plan, and doing so with a reliability that has made Pilatus one of the most trusted names in aviation worldwide. At Arc Jet Club, Pilatus aircraft represent some of our most rewarding acquisition consultations and most requested charter solutions for clients with remote destinations and exacting standards.
Founded in 1939 in Stans, Switzerland — in the shadow of the Swiss Alps — Pilatus Aircraft has spent over eight decades building aircraft that must perform in conditions that would ground lesser designs. The Swiss Alpine environment is not forgiving of engineering compromise: short mountain airstrips, rapidly changing weather, extreme altitude variations, and temperatures that span the full range of human experience. Aircraft built to operate reliably in this environment earn their reputation honestly.
Today, Pilatus employs over 2,400 people in Stans and delivers approximately 100–120 aircraft per year — a deliberately measured output that reflects the precision and craftsmanship each aircraft demands. Every Pilatus is built to order. Every one is an expression of the same founding conviction: an aircraft should perform wherever its owner needs to go, without reservation and without excuse.
Production, Build Times & What They Cost
Pilatus delivers approximately 100–120 aircraft per year from its Stans facility — a production rate that is intentionally constrained by the standard of craftsmanship the company maintains. Unlike higher-volume manufacturers, Pilatus does not scale production at the expense of quality. Every aircraft is built to order with a level of attention that is evident the moment you open the door.
Build times for new Pilatus aircraft currently run 18 to 30 months from order confirmation to delivery — reflecting both strong global demand and the deliberate production pace that Pilatus maintains. The PC-24 in particular carries extended lead times due to sustained order backlogs. Clients who require earlier availability should discuss pre-owned options with Arc Jet Club’s acquisition team — the PC-12 and early PC-24 pre-owned markets offer compelling value for buyers who cannot wait for new delivery.
| Model | New List Price (approx.) | Pre-Owned Range |
|---|---|---|
| PC-6 Porter | Discontinued — pre-owned only | $500,000–$1.5 million |
| PC-12 NGX | $5.5–$6 million | $1.5–$5 million |
| PC-24 | $11–$12 million | $8–$10.5 million |
Prices are indicative and subject to configuration, market conditions, and availability. Arc Jet Club’s acquisition team provides current, independent market valuations.
“The PC-12 pre-owned market is among the most transparent and liquid in single-engine turboprop aviation — a direct result of the fleet’s size and the global depth of PT6A service infrastructure. A well-maintained PC-12 NGX can typically be acquired and operational within 45–60 days of agreement. Early PC-24 pre-owned examples are now entering the market and represent compelling value for buyers who want jet capability with Pilatus short-field performance at below new-delivery pricing.”
The Full Pilatus Fleet
STOL UTILITY
PC-6 Porter — The Original Pilatus Legend
Range: 600 nm · Up to 10 passengers or significant cargo · Cruise: 120 kts · Pre-owned only. The aircraft that built the Pilatus reputation. The PC-6 Porter — introduced in 1959 and operated in some of the world’s most demanding environments for over six decades — is the definition of a capable utility aircraft. Short takeoff and landing distances measured in hundreds of feet rather than thousands. Unpaved, unimproved, and downright inhospitable strips that defeat every other aircraft. A Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turbine of absolute reliability. The Porter is no longer in production, but pre-owned examples remain in active service on every continent — proof, if any were needed, that Pilatus builds aircraft that simply do not stop working. For clients with remote properties that push the limits of what any aircraft can access — the PC-6 Porter pushes them back.SINGLE-ENGINE TURBOPROP
PC-12 NGX — The World’s Best-Selling Single-Engine Turbine Aircraft
Range: 1,803 nm · Up to 9 passengers · Cabin height: 4.9 ft · Cruise: 290 knots · In production since: 1994. Over 1,900 PC-12s have been delivered worldwide — to private owners, charter operators, air ambulance services, and special mission operators on every continent. The NGX iteration delivers the most refined PC-12 cabin yet — a flat-floor pressurized interior with club seating, optional executive and combi configurations, Honeywell Primus Apex avionics, and the PT6A-67P engine that makes the 2,461-foot field length requirement seem almost implausible for an aircraft of this capability. For clients who want to land where no pressurized aircraft has landed before — reliably, comfortably, and with Swiss precision — the PC-12 NGX is the answer to a question the competition cannot even formulate.SUPER VERSATILE JET
PC-24 — The Jet That Goes Everywhere
Range: 2,000 nm · Up to 10 passengers · Cabin height: 5.1 ft · Cruise: Mach 0.74 · In production since: 2018. Pilatus spent eight years engineering the PC-24 — and every one of those years is evident in the result. The world’s first business jet certified for unpaved runway operations. A flat-floor cabin wider than any competitor in its class. Williams FJ44-4A engines, advanced autothrottle, and a flight deck that Pilatus calls the Advanced Cockpit Environment — all delivered in an aircraft that operates from the same rough strips as the PC-12 it sits alongside in so many hangars worldwide. The PC-24 does not ask its owner to choose between jet performance and destination access. It simply refuses to accept that such a choice exists. For clients who fly between major cities and remote properties with equal frequency — this is the most capable aircraft available at any price in its category.Pilatus Aircraft Comparison: Which is Right for You?
| PC-6 Porter | PC-12 NGX | PC-24 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Extreme remote access | Versatile utility & comfort | Jet speed, remote access |
| Propulsion | Single turboprop | Single turboprop | Twin jet |
| Pressurized | No | Yes | Yes |
| Unpaved ops | Yes — extreme STOL | Yes — 2,461 ft | Yes — 2,953 ft |
| Passengers | Up to 10 | Up to 9 | Up to 10 |
| Acquisition cost | Pre-owned only | $5.5–$6M new | $11–$12M new |
| Charter entry rate | Not typically chartered | From $2,800/hr | From $4,500/hr |
| Ideal client | Extreme remote property | Island, ranch, safari ops | City and remote combined |
Why Pilatus Owners Are Among the Most Loyal in Aviation
Ask any Pilatus owner why they chose the brand — and why they keep coming back — and the answers converge on the same themes. The aircraft does exactly what it promises. It goes where they need to go. It never lets them down. And there is a quality to the engineering, a precision to the finish, and an honesty to the performance specifications that experienced aviation clients find deeply refreshing in a market where overpromising is routine.
Single-pilot certification. Both the PC-12 NGX and PC-24 are certified for single-pilot operation — a meaningful practical advantage for owner-operators who fly themselves. The reduced crew requirement lowers operating costs and removes scheduling complexity without any sacrifice in safety, thanks to the advanced avionics and systems redundancy that Pilatus builds into every aircraft.
The largest cargo door in class. The PC-12 and PC-24 both feature a forward cargo door of exceptional dimensions — enabling the carriage of equipment, supplies, and cargo that no comparable aircraft can accommodate. For estate owners who need to move equipment to remote properties, the practical utility of this feature is substantial and frequently decisive.
Swiss after-sales support. Pilatus operates a global service network and maintains a reputation for customer support that clients consistently rate among the best in aviation. The Pilatus Customer Support Center in Broomfield, Colorado serves North American clients with the same standard that the Stans factory sets for the aircraft themselves.
Why Arrange Your Pilatus Through Arc Jet Club
Pilatus builds aircraft for clients who refuse to accept that capability and refinement are mutually exclusive. After 26 years advising private aviation clients, we have learned that the same people who choose Pilatus tend to choose Arc Jet Club — for precisely the same reason.
Our acquisition advisors understand the Pilatus market with a depth that generalist brokers rarely achieve — from PC-12 airframe inspection requirements to the emerging dynamics of the PC-24 pre-owned market as early examples begin to trade. We identify the right aircraft for your specific requirements, conduct independent due diligence, coordinate pre-buy inspections, and manage every step of title, escrow, and closing without agenda.
For acquisition: The PC-12 pre-owned market moves quickly at the right price points. The PC-24 market is developing fast as early examples mature. Arc Jet Club monitors both continuously — and when the right aircraft becomes available, our clients are the first to know.
Every inquiry is handled in complete confidence. NDA available upon request. When you work with Arc Jet Club, you are not a transaction. You are a client — and that distinction shapes everything we do.