- 29 May 2018
- Mike Chase
- Turboprop Comparisons
Pilatus built the PC-12/45 in Switzerland and is a development of the standard PC-12 with the gross weight raised from 4,100 kg to 4,500 kg (9,922 lbs). This is the largest of the pressurised single-engined turboprops, suitable for many passenger, utility and military roles, thanks to its large cargo hatch, but also widely used by private owners.
The Pilatus PC-12/45 costs between $2.55m for a 2004 model and $2.65m for a 2005 model, according to Aircraft Bluebook’s data. Those values represent average retail, however, the sale price of an individual production model can vary significantly, even from others with the same year of manufacture, and is ultimately driven by factors such as maintenance condition, time on airframe and engines, and more.
There are a number of options in the single-engine turboprop market depending on the operator’s range, payload and passenger requirements. For example, one such option is the Daher TBM 850, which can hold up to five passengers and has a maximum range of 1,585nm.
This Pilatus PC-12 is the largest of the pressurised, single-engined turboprops. The major advantage the PC-12/45 provides operators is in its increased maximum takeoff weight (compared to the original model), which stands at about 4,500kg, offering a much-improved capacity.
The major point of difference once again centers on payload, with the PC-12/47 offering up to 4,740kg of maximum take-off weight. It also has aerodynamic changes, including new winglets.
Pilatus PC-12/45 Turboprop Overview
By Gerrard Cowan - Editor, Aircraft Reviews
The Pilatus PC-12/45 improved on the original Pilatus PC-12 in a number of ways, notably providing greater take-off weight. In fact, most of the original production PC-12/41 aircraft (built in 1994 and 1995) have been converted to PC-12/45s.
The PC-12/45 was certified in 1996 and manufactured until 2005, with 585 platforms being produced in that time, per JETNET data. It secured a number of customers, such as PlaneSense Inc., a US-based fractional ownership company from New Hampshire.
What features does the Pilatus PC-12/45 offer?
As an upgraded version of the PC-12/41, the PC-12/45 has a single Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67B engine. The aircraft’s flexibility has seen it used in a wide variety of roles, including military and utility but also for passengers and in the private owner market.
For the latest market data and full specification information for the PC-12/45, view the live data feeds on this page from aviation’s leading data providers - Aircraft Blue Book, JETNET, Conklin & de Decker and Asset Insight.
What came before and after the Pilatus PC-12/45?
The PC-12 was the company’s breakthrough in the business aircraft market, providing a combination of a spacious cabin for up to 11 passengers, low operating costs, first-class flying characteristics, and the ability to operate on grass and other unpaved surfaces.
Thanks to its versatility, the PC-12 has become popular in a number of roles – for example, business travel, passenger and cargo transport, air ambulance, and special missions. Operators include the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Over 1,800 aircraft have been sold since the market rollout in 1994.
The successor, the PC-12/47, increased take-off weight again and provided a number of other improvements.
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