131111 Press Release Approved
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MEDIA RELEASE Broomfield, CO, USA, February 11th , 2014 PILATUS ENHANCES PC-12 NG FOR 2014 Pilatus is introducing five new features in the 2014 model in an effort to keep demand high for the popular single engine turboprop. “To celebrate the first delivery of a PC-12 20 years ago, we've added a host of new features to make the 2014 PC-12 NG the best PC-12 to date,” stated Ignaz Gretener, Vice President General Aviation at Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Incorporating new technology and responding to customer feedback, the new 2014 PC-12 NG will include six new BMW DesignworksUSA executive interior options, a new electric landing gear system, external LED lighting, a wireless Connected Flight Deck™ system, and a Wi-Fi passenger entertainment system. New BMW Interiors Pilatus continues its longstanding partnership with BMW Group DesignworksUSA by offering 6 new interior packages and a new array of exterior paint schemes crafted exclusively for Pilatus. The palettes satisfy nearly every aesthetic from understated, to expressive and natural, to technical. In the Pilatus tradition, the interior designs combine modern style with a focus on function, quality, and innovation. Responding to the increased demand for the PC-12 NG in emerging markets, all BMW interiors will be available globally for the first time. Electric Landing Gear By replacing the PC-12’s original hydraulic landing gear with a new electric system, PC-12 operators realize both weight and maintenance cost savings. The electric landing gear provides a 13 lb (5.9 kg) weight savings over the previous hydraulic system, and reduces the landing gear maintenance and inspection costs. The 2014 PC-12 NG is now an all- electric aircraft, similar to the most modern airliners. External LED Lighting The 2014 PC-12 NG is equipped with light emitting diode (LED) landing, taxi, recognition, navigation, and strobe lights. The tail-mounted strobe light has been eliminated by incorporating its function into the two wingtip strobes. The LED lights are even more reliable due to their solid state design, and produce more light than the incandescent bulbs employed in previous models of the aircraft. MEDIA RELEASE Page 2/3 Connected Flight Deck™ The new wireless Connected Flight Deck™ system is a set of four innovative iPad™ applications that interface with a wireless gateway system onboard the PC-12 NG. Each application is designed to enhance the efficiency of data exchanged between the aircraft, pilot, and maintenance personnel. The apps enable fast and simple wireless updates of airport, navigation and terrain databases, off-aircraft flight planning and uploading directly to the flight management system, maintenance and diagnostic recording with email to a service facility, and a moving map feature for passengers. This “industry first” was the result of a collaborative joint development effort between Pilatus, Honeywell, Jeppesen, and Aspen Avionics. Wireless Entertainment System Passengers can connect wirelessly to their favorite movies, music, and a moving map using their personal Wi-Fi enabled devices. An on-board media server with USB, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi inputs provides passengers the ability to easily connect and independently access stored movies, music, photos, XM satellite radio, and other content. The standard high resolution moving map display allows passengers to instantly track their location, speed, altitude, and remaining flight time. Pilatus also offers both satellite and ground-based options for in-flight Internet access for the North American market. The new wireless entertainment option, powered by the Emteq’s eConnect™ system will be available mid-2014. Gretener continued, “This year marks the 20 th anniversary of certification of the PC-12, and global demand for the PC-12 NG remains very strong as we approach the 1,300 th delivery. We will continue to innovate with new features and capabilities for the PC-12, as we still see a lot of future potential in this market segment.” The base price for the 2014 PC-12 NG is $3,850,000 with a typically equipped executive configuration priced at $4,642,000. Further media information is available from: Tom Aniello, Vice President of Marketing Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, 11755 Airport Way Broomfield, CO 80021, USA Phone: +1 303 438 5992 E-mail: [email protected] MEDIA RELEASE Page 3/3 Photos of the PC-12 NG are available to download, free of charge, at http://images.pilatus-aircraft.com . Founded in 1939, Pilatus Aircraft Ltd is the only Swiss company to develop, produce and sell aircraft to customers around the world: from the legendary Pilatus Porter PC-6 to the best-selling PC-12, a single-engine turboprop, and the PC-21, the training system of the future. Pilatus is currently developing the PC-24 – the world’s first ever business jet for use on short unmade runways. Headquartered in Stans, Switzerland, Pilatus is a privately held company employing over 1600 people worldwide. Based in Broomfield, Colorado, Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pilatus Aircraft Ltd, was founded in 1996 to provide completions, marketing, sales, and service for Pilatus aircraft in North and South America. .