Pilatus PC-12 PRO

The Pilatus PC-12 PRO represents a major evolution of the renowned PC-12 series, introducing the new Garmin G3000 Prime Flight Deck, better safety systems, and refined cabin upgrades that further elevate the aircraft's position in the single-engine turboprop market. Officially unveiled in March 2025, this successor to the PC-12 NGX retains the robustness and versatility of the world's best-selling single-engine turboprop, while incorporating state-of-the-art technologies from the Pilatus PC-24. The heart of the new PC-12 PRO is its Advanced Cockpit Environment - ACE - powered by the Garmin G3000 Prime. This avionics suite replaces the previous Honeywell system, marking a technological advancement. Key features include Emergency Autoland, Smart Glide, and Electronic Stability and Protection, all designed to reduce pilot workload and boost operational safety.

The cabin has enlarged windows, providing additional natural light, while refined ergonomics, style finishing, and upgraded lighting elevate your travel experience. BMW Designworks interiors offer cutting-edge functionality and optimized executive seats with full recline, taller seat backs, and extensive seated headroom. Premium materials and customized interiors guarantee comfort. The PC-12 PRO offers flexibility: you can easily customize the cabin for executive seating, transport large parts, or remove and add seats to accommodate up to nine passengers. The spacious, flat-floor design and fully enclosed forward lavatory maximize usable space, and the large cargo door allows easy loading. With a quiet and roomy cabin, it combines luxury with practicality.

With a maximum cruise speed of 290 knots and a range of up to 1,830 nautical miles, the PC-12 PRO delivers versatility for business and leisure travel. The ability to operate from short runways or unmade grass, gravel, or snow runways allows access to thousands of airports other aircraft can only fly over. Powered by the latest Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 engine, with over 400 million flight hours across the PT6 family, it incorporates a digital autothrottle and Electronic Propeller and Engine Control System for better fuel efficiency and smoother flight. The PC-12 PRO also gains an additional 100 pounds of useful load. Strong demand and limited availability, with a $6.8 million base price, position it competitively, making it an attractive option for those seeking the most advanced single-engine turboprop.

What is the Pilatus PC-12 PRO?

The PC-12 PRO is the newest version of Pilatus’ PC-12. It features the new Advanced Cockpit Environment - ACE. The PC-12 Pro has an integrated flight deck with the new Garmin G3000 Prime, and this integrated flight deck is customized for Pilatus. The PC-12 is designed to deliver performance and safety equal to twin-engined aircraft, and it accommodates up to nine passengers.

On 14 March 2025, Pilatus announced the PC-12 PRO, the latest version of the world's best-selling single-engine turboprop. It is certified for single-pilot operation. The PC-12 PRO is the most technologically advanced, highest performing, most reliable aircraft in its class. Deliveries began in Autumn 2025.

It is equipped with the latest version of the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 engine, the most reliable aircraft engine ever produced, with over 60,000 engines and 400 million flight hours. The propeller blades feature a nickel cobalt leading edge and are fabricated using aerospace-grade carbon fiber monocoque structural design for reduced cabin noise and better take-off performance. The Garmin automatic landing system provides an emergency autoland feature. If the pilot cannot fly, the system turns on automatically, finds a suitable airport, stops the plane on the runway, and then shuts down the engines. This makes the PC-12 PRO one of the safest turboprops in the market. It allows passengers to fly non-stop between many European destinations with efficiency, and it can operate from short, unpaved runways.

What are the specifications of the Pilatus PC-12 PRO?

The specifications of the Pilatus PC-12 PRO are given in the table below.

The Pilatus PC-12 PRO has a maximum cruising speed of 290 knots true airspeed. It features a maximum range of 1,765 nautical miles (3,269 kilometers) and a maximum certified altitude of 30,000 feet (9,144 meters). At maximum gross weight, it needs 2,485 feet (757 meters) of runway and can operate on grass, dirt and gravel. The PC-12 PRO is certified for single-pilot operation. It can seat up to 8 passengers in its standard configuration, with options for 6 or 9 seats. A fully enclosed lavatory is located at the front of the cabin.

The blade size is about nine feet, and the size across the blades is a bit over 8.5 feet. The cabin pressure limit is 5.75 pounds per square inch. The PC-12 PRO introduces the Garmin G3000 Prime avionics suite with three 14-inch touchscreen displays and two 7-inch smart controllers. The standard list price is currently $6.8M (6.2 million euros), but an average price will be closer to $7.3M (6.6 million euros) with options.

What is the performance of the Pilatus PC-12 PRO?

The performance of the Pilatus PC-12 PRO is given in the table below.

The Pilatus PC-12 PRO has a cruise speed of up to 290 knots and a maximum range of 1,830 nautical miles. The aircraft has the ability to operate from short and unpaved runways. Takeoff distance is 2,485 feet (757 meters), and landing distance is 2,170 feet (661 meters). Rate of climb is 1,920 fpm. The service ceiling is 30,000 feet (9,144 meters) due to a pressurized cabin. Stall speed is 67 knots.

What engine powers the Pilatus PC-12 PRO?

The Pilatus PC-12 PRO is powered by the PT6E-67XP engine. This engine produces 1,200 shaft horsepower in take-off and climb. Normal flying power is 850 to 1,000 horsepower. Cruising is 1,700 spins per minute. Fuel usage when cruising is 414 pounds per hour (187.8 kilograms per hour). Efficiency at cruise is 0.47 to 0.5 pounds per horsepower per hour. Flying height is 27,000 feet (8,230 meters).

The PT6E-67XP uses a gear system. The gear ratio is 2.51 to 1, so the engine turns 2.51 rotations per propeller spin. It has a separate oil system with a gear oil pump, a metal finder, and an oil cooler. A general PT6E engine’s dry weight is 270 lb (122.47 kg).

What systems are equipped on the Pilatus PC-12 PRO?

The Pilatus PC-12 PRO is equipped with the Pratt & Whitney PT6E-67XP engine, providing an ideal combination of power and efficiency. At the core of the PC-12 PRO is its Advanced Cockpit Environment (ACE), powered by the Garmin G3000 Prime Integrated Flight Deck. This flight deck features three 14-inch touchscreen primary display units, a GI 275 standby instrument, and touchscreen secondary display units. The G3000 Prime uses faster processing speed and advanced technology to boost safety and reduce pilot workload throughout all phases of flight. The completely redesigned cockpit includes five high-resolution touchscreen displays and removes the pilot's direct vision window, refining visibility.

The ACE integrates Garmin's full suite of advanced safety technologies, including the Safety Autoland function. The Autoland system integrates the GFC 700 autopilot and autothrottle through the G3000 Prime Integrated Flight Deck to autonomously control and land the aircraft in the event of pilot incapacitation. Refined Stall Warning & Protection and Electronic Stability & Protection systems provide increased envelope protection and pilot support. A newly upgraded weather radar, featuring a larger antenna, offers better detection capability and boosted situational awareness.

The fully automatic Electronic Propeller and Engine Control System (EPECS) and digital autothrottle system reduce pilot workload, increase fuel efficiency, guarantee a smoother flight experience, and protect against engine overload. The PRO also integrates Pilatus' cursor control device with a hand-stabilization feature, and revised control yokes allow pilots to fly with one hand while accessing every essential function, including pitch trim, push-to-talk, checklist, TCAS, and autopilot quick disconnect.

For navigation and communication, the Garmin G3000 Prime setup has GPS, VOR, and a main set with two-way radio. The GTN 750Xi has the VHF radio, radio direction finding, GPS, and instrument landing system guidance, while the GNC 355 has radio communication, GPS, and landing guidance system. Radio communication is 8.33 kilohertz. The Garmin G3000’s main set does not have DME, and the top system does not have ADF. The PC-12 PRO has a plane ID broadcaster and one squawk box. The ADS-B ready transmitter can send plane information and the transponder uses a 24-bit code. T3CAS has a plane collision warning system (model two 7.1) and TAWS, while T2CAS joins terrain warning into the collision warning box.

The anti-ice system has pneumatic rubber covers that shed ice on the tail and wing leading edges. The PRO de-icer integrates defrosting, and the anti-icing setup uses heating sticks for sensors. Engine inlet heat prevents ice ingestion, and the defroster maintains safe forward visibility. A side window serves as an alternative if the windshield accumulates frost. The cabin air manager runs the air pressure inside the cabin, the air conditioner system runs cooling, and controls the heat. Normal cabin pressure difference is 8-9 pounds per square inch. Pilots systems use a mix air oxygen controls, and pressure-demand systems supply oxygen under overpressure at high altitudes under 12,192 meters (40,000 feet), with integrated systems for passengers.

The PC-12 PRO has PlaneSync for connected aircraft management, automatically updating databases, logging flight and engine data, and allowing remote check of fuel and systems status via the Garmin Pilot app. An Engine health check system and ACMS log engine information and trend data during cruise. The Cabin Management System joins control of lights, temperature, and entertainment, with video storage and a program runner. Emergency equipment includes a portable emergency beacon that sends position at 406 MHz, medical gear, and life jackets.

What is the interior like in the Pilatus PC-12 PRO?

The Pilatus PC-12 PRO’s interior is designed for maximum comfort and productivity. The cabin provides comfortable seating for up to eight passengers in executive configurations, and can accommodate up to nine passengers with commuter seats. Executive seats have full recline, taller seat backs, and extensive seated headroom, inspired by the PC-24 Super Versatile Jet. Fine European leather, custom hand-stitching, and six modern interior design lines by BMW Designworks allow personalized style. Seating configurations include Executive 6, Executive 6+2, and Executive 4+4 layouts. Commuter seats offer seat row gap of 30 inches (76.2 cm), an economy seat width of 18.25 inches (46.36 cm), and legroom of 32 inches (81.28 cm). Each seat has one charging spot with a wall plug. The cabin has no pull-out desks, but passengers can use seatback mounts for devices.

The PC-12 PRO includes a private, fully enclosed lavatory in the forward cabin. It has a toilet, breathing mask, light, and mirror. The lavatory's position allows combinations of seating and cargo space in the aft cabin, accessed through the large cargo door. Cabinets with thin wood cover choices like Beech, Maple, Cherry, Walnut, or Oak offer storage, with eco earth tones and metal accents on cupboard doors. Cabin noise is below 82 decibels during cruise, due to the engine's low-speed propeller mode and better soundproofing. Passengers change lighting via an adjustable LED light control system, and windows are 10 percent larger with manually operated shades. The headliner maximizes headroom, and air conditioning is better and quieter.

What are the differences between the Pilatus PC-12 PRO and Cessna Denali?

The differences between the Pilatus PC-12 PRO and Cessna Denali are given in the table below.

The Pilatus PC-12 PRO and Beechcraft Denali are both pressurized single-engine turboprops, but the PC-12 is a proven performer with a long delivery history while the Denali is a brand-new clean-sheet design from Textron Aviation entering service with newer engine and cabin technology. The PC-12 has been on the market since 1994 and has crossed 2,000 deliveries. The Denali is just entering certification in 2026 with three flight test aircraft. The PC-12 uses the Pratt & Whitney PT6E-67XP, which is the latest version of one of the most reliable turboprop engine families in history. The PT6E67XP has a 600-hour scheduled maintenance interval, 5,000 hour interval between overhauls, and an engine checkup plan. The PT6E67XP has the first training class and basic repair learning. The Denali uses the GE Catalyst, a clean-sheet design with FADEC, a 4,000-hour TBO, and additive manufacturing. The Catalyst is more efficient and modern, but unproven in long-term commercial service. The GE Catalyst does not have set times for checkups.

The Denali has more shoulder room. The PC-12 PRO has a refined finish quality, with the new BMW Designworks-developed interior. For pressurization, the PC-12 PRO has an inside height of 8,000 feet at 30,000 feet. The Beechcraft Denali is designed for a cabin altitude of about 6,130 feet (1,868 meters) at 31,000 feet (9,449 meters) of cruise. The Denali uses the Garmin G3000 flight deck. The new PC-12 PRO uses the next-generation Garmin G3000 PRIME, which features multi-touch capability, updated graphics, and faster processors. Both include Garmin Autoland. For buyers who want the newest cockpit technology, the PC-12 PRO is currently a step ahead in raw avionics generation. The PC-12 wins on range and top speed, which matters for long-leg missions like coast-to-coast flights or international hops.

The PC-12 PRO has fuel usage of 76 gallons per hour (288 liters per hour). PC12 PRO’s hourly expense is $1127. The PC-12 has been adapted into countless special-mission duties: medevac, ISR, cargo, fractional ownership shuttles, government surveillance, and more. The U.S. Air Force operates the U-28A Draco, which is a PC-12-based platform. The Denali is being designed with similar versatility (the cabin is built to convert between passenger and cargo), but the special-mission ecosystem around it will take years to build. The Denali has a smaller dorsal fin than the PC-12, shorter ventral fins, a rudder ending above the tail cone and no bullet fairing in front of the horizontal stabiliser.

What is the price of the Pilatus PC-12 PRO?

The Pilatus PC-12 PRO has a base price of $6.8 million USD. That starting price is for a new, unused aircraft and does not include extra features or upgrades beyond baseline. The aircraft has FAA and EASA certification. Pilatus does not post specific prices for the plane with all extras because total depends on customizations. The cost of the plane depends on picked extras, plane electronics setup, delivery timing, and cabin. Putting in Garmin Autoland costs $45,000, and the emergency landing system is $33,000. New PC-12 PRO delivery started in 2025. A 2020 PC12 NG with about 300 flight hours sold for about $4.9 million. A 2009 model sold for $3.2 million.

Expert behind this article

Jim Goodrich

Jim Goodrich is a pilot, aviation expert and founder of Tsunami Air.