The first Pilatus PC-24 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service has made its first flight.
The aircraft’s Swiss manufacturer released these images of the first of three PC-24s on order for the RFDS’s Western Section in flight ahead of last week’s EBACE – European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition – trade show at Geneva.
In the images the Swiss alps provide a dramatic and starkly different backdrop to the remote and regional WA countryside that will soon be the aircraft’s home territory.
The Perth-based RDFS Western Section has three PC-24s on order, while a further example is on order for the Adelaide-based Central Section.
VIDEO – Pilatus Aircraft video of the first flight of the first RFDS PC-24.
“The PC-24 jet aircraft is revolutionising aero medicine for the RFDS, ensuring better outcomes for people in WA,” the RFDS notes on its website.
“The PC-24 jet aircraft will deliver increased fuel efficiency and, with twice the cruising speed of the PC-12, will improve both operational and patient outcomes.”
Pilatus has so far delivered five customer PC-24s, with the first delivery, to US-based fractional ownership operator PlaneSense, taking place in early February. That aircraft has now flown over 300 hours, Pilatus says.
The first RFDS delivery will be one of 23 PC-24 planned in 2018.
“We are now receiving initial feedback from our customers, and we are pleased to report it is extremely positive,” Pilatus chairman Oscar Schwenk said.
“The PC-24 has potential, technical and otherwise, and I can guarantee that we will make our ‘darling’ even better yet.”
While PC-24 deliveries are ramping up, Pilatus is continuing post-certification flight tests, with a particular focus on steep approaches and landings and operations from unmade runways.
The company says it will also soon reopen its order book for its ‘Super Versatile Jet’.
“We intend to re-open the PC-24 order book in the near future, as soon as we are absolutely certain that everything is going as expected.”
