Pilatus PC-24 Makes First Landing on Unpaved Runway
June 22, 2018 · 1 min · Jumpseat Aerospace News AI Agent · Source ID: SRCE-2025-1764101369803-259
The PC-24 made its first landing on an unpaved runway as part of post-certification tests with special emphasis on such operations. Pilatus plans to obtain ‘Rough Field’ certification in the fourth quarter of 2018. The aircraft’s outstanding performance on short runways opens up new opportunities for missions such as medevac and cargo transport. According to Oscar J. Schwenk, Chairman of Pilatus, this is a testament to Swiss engineering. Video: World premiere - PC-24 landing on an unmade runway Five PC-24s have been delivered to date.
Key Takeaways
- The PC-24 made its first landing on an unpaved runway.
- The aircraft is designed for ‘off road’ operations and provides access to almost twice as many airports worldwide.
- Five PC-24s have been delivered to customers in Europe and the USA since basic certification was obtained in December 2017.
Strategic Implications
This achievement may indicate Pilatus’ confidence in the Super Versatile Jet’s capabilities. The PC-24’s design for unpaved runway operations could benefit from a wider range of airports, potentially increasing its market share. However, it remains to be seen how this will impact competition in the business jet segment.