A Closer Look At 8 Unique Operators Of The Pilatus PC-12

Pilatus Aircraft has become one of the largest general aviation aircraft manufacturers in the world over the last twenty years. The company was first founded in Stans, Switzerland, in the late 1930s. It was originally developed to manufacture Vickers Spitfire aircraft for the Swiss military. However, this venture was unsuccessful, and the company instead conducted maintenance and repairs for the Swiss military.

Eventually, Pilatus Aircraft began designing and developing its own aircraft, mostly for general aviation operations and for the military. This includes the following aircraft:

• Pilatus P-2 trainer
• Pilatus P-3 trainer
• Pilatus PC-6, STOL aircraft
• Pilatus PC-9, turboprop trainer

Pilatus continued production of many of these aircraft well through the 1980s. However, Pilatus Aircraft took the general aviation industry by storm in the late 1980s. In October 1989, Pilatus announced the development of a new aircraft called the PC-12 at the annual National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention. The newly developed PC-12 was set to take over a new market, specifically focused on a versatile single-engine aircraft with a high top speed and competitive range.

The aircraft received a positive response after the convention. It garnered even more interest after the first prototype conducted its maiden flight in May 1991. The aircraft achieved its type certificate from the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation in March 1994 and from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in July 1994. It officially entered service later that year.

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The Pilatus PC-12 stands out as one of the most versatile and reliable single-engine turboprop aircraft in the world.

The aircraft was an immediate success in the general aviation industry, and, since then, several upgrades have been produced. The PC-12 is powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprop engine, which provides the aircraft with around 1,200 shaft horsepower. This helps the aircraft achieve some of the most competitive take off and landing distances in the industry, as it requires just 2,600 feet to take off and 2,170 feet to land. This has made the aircraft competitive in various industries, especially in rural or remote areas, as it has the ability to land on a wide range of airports and airfields.

Overall, the PC-12 has the following performance specifications:

Since it was introduced, over 2,000 total PC-12s have been delivered. The aircraft is extremely versatile, meaning it has found success in various different industries covering a wide range of operations. Let’s take a closer look at some of the unique operators that fly the PC-12.

North Star Air

Aircraft in operation: 8 Pilatus PC-12s

North Star Air is a popular charter and cargo air carrier that is based in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The company also offers scheduled passenger flights to many remote destinations. Many of these destinations are regular services, under the “Flex Flight Passenger Service”, where several others are on an on-demand basis. Some of the airline’s popular destinations include:

• Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT)
• Pickle Lake Airport (YPL)
• Red Lake Airport (YRL)
• Thompson Airport (YTH)
• Kapuskasing Airport (YYU)
• Sioux Lookout Airport (YXL)

Due to the unique destinations that North Star Air flies to, it is no wonder that the airline operates several Pilatus PC-12s. The company operates combination PC-12s, meaning they have the ability to carry passengers for scheduled flights or cargo for cargo operations. Beyond the company’s eight Pilatus PC-12s, North Star Air also flies several ATR 72s, two De Havilland Canada Dash 8s, and three cargo Douglas DC-3s.

Photo: North Star Air

Boutique Air

Aircraft in operation: 21 Pilatus PC-12s

Boutique Air is another operator that flies to unique destinations. The company, which is a commuter airline based in San Francisco, California, operates a large fleet of only Pilatus PC-12s. Many of the destinations that Boutique Air flies to are subsidized passenger services under the Essential Air Service (EAS) program.

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The company was originally founded as an aviation technology company.

Some of these destinations include:

• Chippewa County International Airport (CIU) in Sault St. Marie, Michigan
• Massena International Airport (MSS) in Massena, New York
• Eastern Oregon Regional Airport (PDT) in Pendleton, Oregon

Beyond offering scheduled passenger services under the EAS program, Boutique Air has operated several flights between other large destinations. The airline also flies other chartered operations for passengers across the country.

Tradewind Aviation

Aircraft in operation: 30 Pilatus PC-12s

Tradewind Aviation is another airline that operates mostly Pilatus PC-12s. The company is headquartered at Waterbury-Oxford Airport (OXC) in Oxford, Connecticut. The company, which was founded by Eric and David Zipkin in the early 2000s, began offering scheduled passenger operations on short flights in the northeastern United States.

Photo: Leonard Zhukovsky | Shutterstock

The airline operates its network of flights from private terminals, creating a luxurious way to travel for its passengers. The company also offers a jet card for fixed rates on many of its passenger services. Tradewind Aviation also flies extensive charter flights using its fleet of Pilatus PC-12s.

Since then, the company has continued to grow its scheduled services throughout the US. Additionally, Tradewind Aviation has expanded into the Caribbean and the Bahamas. These destinations include:

• VC Bird International Airport (ANU) in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda
• Marsh Harbour Airport (MHH) in Marsh Harbour, The Bahamas
• North Eleuthera Airport (ELH) in North Eleuthera, The Bahamas
• Martha’s Vineyard Airport (MVY) in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
• Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK) in Nantucket, Massachusetts
• Teterboro Airport (TEB) in Bergen County, New Jersey
• Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) in West Palm Beach, Florida

PlaneSense

Aircraft in operation: 44 Pilatus PC-12s

PlaneSense is a private charter provider of all Pilatus aircraft. The company is one of the largest operators of the Pilatus PC-12, but it also flies several Pilatus PC-24s, a light business jet produced by Pilatus Aircraft. PlaneSense was the launch customer of the Pilatus PC-24.

​​​​​​​These aircraft are utilized for private charter operations, as PlaneSense operates a fractional aircraft ownership program. This grants travelers the ability to fly on PlaneSense aircraft around the world.

Photo: PlaneSense

The company was first founded in the early 1990s. It was originally founded by George Antoniadis in Norwood, Massachusetts. However, the company has moved headquarters several times, and it currently operates from Portsmouth International Airport at Pease (PSM) in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Royal Flying Doctor Service

Aircraft in operation: 30 Pilatus PC-12s

Beyond airlines and charter providers, the Royal Flying Doctor Service also operates several Pilatus PC-12s. This non-profit organization provides emergency and primary health care services to a wide range of areas in Australia. The air medical service provides medical support to those who cannot access a hospital easily due to how remote the Outback of Australia is.

Photo: Chris Finney | Wikimedia Commons

The Royal Flying Doctor Service chose the Pilatus PC-12 for the versatility of the aircraft. The PC-12 has the ability to land on very remote services due to its impressive landing and take-off characteristics. This allows the Royal Flying Doctor Service to reach many Australians in remote areas throughout the country.

Texas Department of Public Safety

Aircraft in operation: 2 Pilatus PC-12s

Several other governmental organizations operate the PC-12. This includes the Texas Department of Public Safety, which is responsible for statewide law enforcement and driver’s license administration. This organization also has several divisions that may have use of general aviation aircraft. This includes the following divisions:

• Infrastructure Operations
• Criminal Investigations
• Highway Patrol
• Intelligence and Counterterrorism
• Texas Rangers

Currently, the Texas Department of Public Safety operates two different Pilatus PC-12s. These aircraft, which are registered as N219TX and N243TX, are based in Edinburg, Texas, and San Antonio, Texas. Specifically, the Texas Department of Public Safety operates these aircraft to provide air patrol, criminal surveillance, and rescue for Texas residents.

Western Australia Police

Aircraft in operation: 2 Pilatus PC-12s

Another governmental organization based in Australia that flies the Pilatus PC-12 is the Western Australia Police force. This organization provides police services for the entirety of Western Australia, which encompasses a population of nearly three million people. However, the police organization is based in East Perth.

The company has several different units that fall under the Western Australia Police. This includes the following divisions:

• Crime Stoppers
• Police Air Wing
• Tactical Response Group
• Regional Operations Group
• Radio Electronic Services Unit

This area is fairly remote, as much of the region is home to the Outback. Because of this, it makes sense that the Western Australia Police chose to operate the Pilatus PC-12 for its wide variety of operations that need air transport. Many of these operations provide support to frontline police, including deploying police personnel, crime detection, crime prevention, search and rescue, and additional medical transfers.

Ornge

Aircraft in operation: 10 Pilatus PC-12s

Another organization that utilizes the Pilatus PC-12 for air ambulance services is Ornge, which was previously known as the Ontario Air Ambulance Service. This organization is a not-for-profit corporation and registered charity that is based in Mississauga, Ontario. It provides air ambulance services and coordinates ground transportation services for the entire province of Ontario. It is directed by the Ontario Ministry of Health.

Photo: Peter Bakema | planepictures.net

It currently flies several Pilatus PC-12s, most of which are based at Thunder Bay, Sioux Lookout, and Timmins. These aircraft have the ability to land at remote destinations throughout Ontario. Besides the PC-12s, Ornge also operates several AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters.