At NBAA 2019 in Las Vegas, Pilatus was showing an update to its popular PC-12 utility turboprop. The PC-12 NGX has an updated engine, a more passenger-friendly cabin and new avionics.
The new PC-12 NGX is powered by the Pratt & Whitney PT6E-67XP Electronic Propeller and Engine Control System with FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control), which is the first in this market segment. There’s also a new propeller low-speed mode, resulting in a significant reduction in cabin noise.
As for speed, the new Pratt engine enables the PC-12 NGX to achieve a maximum cruise speed of 290 KTAS, and there’s also Prist-free fuel operation. The flight deck is new, too. The Advanced Cockpit Environment (ACE) System by Honeywell is inspired by the PC-24 jet and has both a cursor control device and a smart touchscreen controller, plus there’s digital autothrottle (which Pilatus calls automatic thrust adjustment).
The cabin windows have been enlarged by 10 percent to enhance the PC-12 NGX’s passenger experience and deliver more natural light. The rectangular shape of the new windows, also adapted from the PC-24, and dark windshield surround trim create a distinctive ramp presence for the PC-12 NGX.
The redesigned cabin comes in six different BMW Designworks’ interiors. The lightweight passenger seats have optimum ergonomics with full-recline capability and are arranged to provide maximum freedom of movement with more headroom thanks to the redesigned headliner. The updated air-conditioning system delivers better and quieter air distribution.
Scheduled maintenance intervals have been extended to 600 flight hours and the engine TBO has also been increased from 4000 to 5000 hours. Base price of the PC-12 NGX in 2020 dollars is $4.39 million with typically equipped executive-configured models will be priced at $5.36 million.
