The Pilatus PC-24 is the world's first and only Super Versatile Jet, combining the practicality of a turboprop with the cabin size of a medium light jet and the performance of a light jet. It is designed to operate from short, paved and even unpaved surfaces, giving pilots access to almost 20,000 additional airports worldwide. Its unique ability to operate on even short and unmade runways - whether grass, gravel, earth or snow - ensures flexibility that is second to none. Powered by two Williams FJ44-4A turbofans, each with 3,420 pounds of takeoff thrust, it can cruise up to 440 KTAS and has a range of 2,000 nm with four passengers. The jet has a service ceiling of 45,000 feet and a takeoff distance of 2,930 feet, with a landing distance of 2,375 feet over a 50-foot obstacle.
The PC-24's cabin volume surpasses that of business jets costing up to twice as much. The cabin typically seats eight people, with a flat floor and an enclosed lavatory. The heated, pressurised baggage compartment can be accessed from the cabin; it holds up to 10 suitcases, which are loaded via the world's first standard pallet-sized cargo door on a business jet. The cockpit features the Advanced Cockpit Environment (ACE), with four 12-inch screens, a Synthetic Vision System, an Autothrottle, and a Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS II). The Honeywell Primus Epic 2.0 avionics suite reduces pilot workload and improves safety, and is certified for single-pilot operations.
The PC-24 received EASA and FAA certification in December 2017, and has European and US steep approach certification, including for London City Airport's 5.5-degree approach and short runway, plus dirt and gravel runway operations. It can reach up to 21,000 airports worldwide. A new PC-24 has a list price of $11.9 million, while used models typically range from $8.5 to $9.5 million.
Looking to buy?
Looking to sell?
What is the Pilatus PC-24?
The Pilatus PC-24 is a light business jet. The PC-24 has a cabin size of a medium-light jet, and it is the only "super versatile jet" on the market. Pilatus combined the PC-12's rugged airfield capability with increased range and speed. The PC-24 can operate on even short and unmade runways. Pilatus started developing the PC-24 in 2007. The Pilatus PC-24 is the world's first and only Super Versatile Jet. The PC-24 is a low-wing cantilever cabin monoplane powered by two Williams FJ44-4A turbofans, each mounted in a nacelle on the side of the rear fuselage - a twin-engine, double-engine design.
The Pilatus PC-24 received FAA and EASA type certifications in December 2017 and is certified for single-pilot operation. Its Advanced Cockpit Environment (ACE) is exceptionally user-friendly and supports single-pilot operations. The cabin typically seats eight passengers in a double club or single club formation. Owned aircraft can accommodate a tenth passenger in the cockpit with a single pilot, but charters do not have this option. The PC-24's interior has a movable aft partition, and seats can be added or removed within minutes. The Pilatus PC-24 has seating for 10 people, or even a setup with one pilot plus 11 people. The seats are highly adjustable, rotate, and facilitate cross-aisle communication.
Pilatus started developing the PC-24 in 2007 as a light business jet that combined the PC-12's rugged airfield capability with increased range and speed. Only 75 Pilatus PC-24s had been built by 2020. By 2021, 100 PC24 planes had been sent out, and sales went beyond 100 as of 2024. The current number of PC24 planes is 298. Jetfly Aviation SA, Luxembourg, owns the largest fleet with 12 aircraft. The PC-24 has the airplane code PC24, which is its IATA code.
What are the key specifications of the Pilatus PC-24?
The Pilatus PC-24 has key specifications for weight, ground power, fuel consumption, and its Quiet Power Mode. The maximum takeoff weight is 18,300 pounds (8,301 kilograms). Maximum landing weight is 16,250 pounds (7,371 kilograms). With full fuel, the payload is 915 pounds (415 kilograms). The maximum payload is 2,500 pounds (1,134 kilograms). Under maximum payload, you can fly 1,163 nautical miles.
Two Williams FJ44-4A-QPM turbofans power the PC-24, each with 3,420 pounds (15.21 kilonewtons) of takeoff thrust. Williams' Quiet Power Mode, or QPM, allows the operator to run one engine at a lower RPM and fuel flow with the associated noise reduction to serve as an APU. In QPM mode, fuel flow decreased from 168 PPH to 120 PPH, and the generator has a lower maximum electrical load of 250 amps, more than ample for ground needs. At FL410, burning 1080 PPH, the true airspeed was 420 knots. The GPU is 28V DC with 1000 amps. The cockpit is very quiet, with a noise level of 76-78 dB in cruise.
What is the performance of the Pilatus PC-24?
The Pilatus PC-24 achieves a maximum cruise speed of 440 KTAS at FL 280. It has a range of 2,040 nautical miles with four passengers and 2,000 nautical miles with six passengers. If you load the plane with the maximum payload of 1,134 kilograms (2,500 pounds), you can fly 2,154 kilometers (1,163 nm). The jet reaches a maximum altitude of 13,716 meters (45,000 feet), and it climbs directly to FL 450 in 27.1 minutes, with an initial climb rate of 1,219.2 meters per minute (4,000 feet per minute).
The PC-24 can operate from paved and unpaved runways as short as 2,930 feet (893 meters). Its stall speed is 81 knots, and Vref is 95 KIAS with Vapp at 105 KIAS. The Honeywell SmartView Synthetic Vision System is standard, with an intuitive set of flight path markers. It fits smoothly into the highest volume airports, and can use runways as short as 1,219 meters (4,000 feet).
What is the price of a Pilatus PC-24?
The price for a Pilatus PC-24 is $8.9 million. A brand-new Pilatus PC-24 typically sells for approximately $13 million. Depending on factors like age and condition, the price of a used Pilatus PC-24 ranges from $8.5 to $9.5 million. The average price for a pre-owned Pilatus PC-24 is $10.6 million. Prices range from $8.5 million to $15 million. The PC-24's yearly operating cost is $1,177,455 for 300 flight hours. Annual operating costs range from $925,000 to $1.5 million, depending on flight hours.
How does the Pilatus PC-24 compare with the Embraer Phenom 300?
Differences between the Pilatus PC-24 and the Embraer Phenom 300 are given in the table below.
| Factor | PC-24 | Phenom 300 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $8.9 million | $9.23 million |
| Cabin volume | 501 cu.ft | 324 cu.ft |
| Floor | flat | drop |
| Internal cargo | 90 cu.ft | 10 cu.ft |
| Range | 2,000 nm | 2,010 nm |
| Speed | 440 knots | 464 knots |
| Takeoff distance | 2,930 ft (893.06 m) | 3,209 ft (978.1 m) |
| Landing distance | 2,375 ft (724 meters) | 2,212 ft (674.2 m) |
| Payload full fuel | 715 lbs (324.3 kg) | 1,586 lbs (719.4 kg) |
| Cabin length | 23 ft (7.01 m) | 17 ft (5.18 m) |
| Cabin height | 1.55 m (5.09 ft) | 1.50 m (4.92 ft) |
| Cabin width | 1.70 m (5 feet 7 inches) | 1.55 m (5.09 ft) |
| Seats | 8 | 7 |
| Cabin altitude | 8,000 ft (2,438.4 m) | 6,600 ft (2,011.68 m) |
| Cost per mile | $4.92 | $4.75 |
| Variable cost | $1,541/hr | $1,365/hr |
| Cockpit | ACE touchscreen | G3000 touchscreen |
| Noise | 92 EPNdB | 75 dB |
The Pilatus PC-24 has a larger cabin with a flat floor, more headroom and legroom, and eight executive seats compared to seven in the Phenom 300. The PC-24 provides 90 cubic feet of climate-controlled interior cargo space and a large cargo door, making it suited for skis, luggage, or golf clubs. The Phenom 300E has an external cargo area and a drop floor, which restricts mobility. The Phenom 300E carries almost twice as much maximum payload with full fuel.
For speed and range, the Phenom 300E is the better performer. It has a faster maximum cruise speed of 464 knots, while the PC-24 flies at 440 knots. The Phenom 300E has more range than the PC-24 offering 2,010 nm versus 2,000 nm. The Phenom 300E has a lower variable cost per hour ($1,365 vs $1,541) and the lowest cost per mile. The PC-24 can take off in just 893 meters (2,930 feet) and land on grass, dirt runways, and gravel, which is unique for jets of similar size. That is why it accesses nearly twice as many airports and handles high-altitude and hot-temperature conditions with ease, even on wet runways where the Phenom 300 is restricted.
Both jets support single-pilot operations. The PC-24 uses the Advanced Cockpit Environment with intuitive touchscreens, which cuts pilot workload. The Phenom 300E features a Garmin G3000 flight system that lets one pilot fly alone. In cruise, the Phenom 300E maintains a lower cabin altitude of 2,012 meters (6,600 feet) and a quieter interior at 75 dB, whereas the PC-24's cabin altitude reaches 2,438 meters (8,000 feet) and its loudness is higher. If you fly to challenging locations, the Pilatus PC-24 is indispensable. If you want speed and style, choose the Phenom 300E.
Expert behind this article
Jim Goodrich
Jim Goodrich is a pilot, aviation expert and founder of Tsunami Air.
