The Pilatus PC-6 Porter is a single-engined STOL utility aircraft designed by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland. First flown in 1959, the PC-6 was produced at Pilatus Flugzeugwerke in Stans, Switzerland. It has been built in both piston-engine and turboprop-powered versions, and was produced under licence for a time by Fairchild Hiller in the United States. After 604 deliveries in 63 years, Pilatus ended production in 2022.
On 4 May 1959, the first prototype, powered by a 254 kW (340 shp) piston engine, made its maiden flight. In early May 1961, the first Turbo Porter, powered by a Turbomeca Astazou II turboprop engine, performed its initial flight. The majority of aircraft are powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprop engine, which drives a fully reversible, constant-speed, three-bladed (or four-bladed) Hartzell aluminium propeller. It is noted for its Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) performance on almost any type of terrain. It can take off within 640 feet (195 m) and land within 427 feet (130 m) while carrying a payload of 2,646 lbs (1,200 kg). Due to its STOL performance, the PC-6 holds the world record for highest landing by a fixed-wing aircraft, at 18,865 feet (5,750 m), on the Dhaulagiri glacier in Nepal. Pilatus claims that it possesses unique STOL capabilities, capable of landing in places only otherwise accessible by rotorcraft.
Looking to buy?
Looking to sell?
Expert behind this article
Jim Goodrich
Jim Goodrich is a pilot, aviation expert and founder of Tsunami Air.
What is the Pilatus PC-6 Porter?
The Pilatus PC-6 Porter is a single-engined STOL utility aircraft designed by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland. The Pilatus PC-6 Porter has been built in both piston engine and turboprop powered versions. The Pilatus PC-6 Porter first flew in 1959.
The Pilatus PC-6 Porter has become a legendary aircraft, known around the world simply as 'The Porter'. Its unique short take-off and landing (STOL) capabilities, reliability and versatility in all weather and terrain conditions have established the PC-6's reputation as a rugged utility aircraft. The Pilatus PC-6 is a high-wing short take-off and landing (STOL) utility aircraft.
It was first flown on May 4, 1959 with a Lycoming piston engine. The initial model was the PC-6/340 Porter, powered by a Lycoming GSO-480-B1A6 flat-six piston engine. Later versions were equipped with a propeller turbine, becoming the Turbo Porter. The PC-6/B2-H2 Turbo-Porter and the PC-6/B2-H4 Turbo Porter have these turbine engines. The ICAO Code for the Porter is PC6T.
I met a Pilatus PC-6 Porter during an aid to the snowy mountains in Switzerland. The aircraft has compact landing capabilities, which left a profound impression on me. The experienced pilot ascended from a rugged, abbreviated airstrip with ease. Then, the plane moved through dense fog and treacherous winds.
Jim GoodrichPilot, Airplane Broker and Founder of Tsunami Air
Is the Pilatus PC-6 a high-wing aircraft?
Yes, the Pilatus PC-6 is a high-wing aircraft. It is a high-wing short take-off and landing utility aircraft built by the Swiss company Pilatus Aircraft. The PC6 has a shoulder wing, which is why it is a single engine, high wing, tail wheel aircraft. With its high wing and propeller ground clearance, the PC-6 is much less exposed to damage from rough airstrips than aircraft with a conventional nosewheel-type undercarriage.
The PC-6 has options including floats for water landings, and is operated on both seaplane and amphibian floats in several countries. The high-wing design makes it a bush plane as well. The highwing design improves seeing the ground clearly and aids avoiding things in the way. The high wing increases space under the plane. Because of this, the chance of sucking in trash is lower in engines, and danger of sucking in junk is lower in propellers. The layout lowers danger from gravel, vegetation, and dirt. Highwing aircraft are for taking off with wind blowing sideways on dirt strips and landing sideways in the wind on dirt, due to the high wing which keeps low control and stability from swinging, as the center of gravity is below the center of lift. The high wing placement does not stop the pilot’s downward view, because the wing is above the top of the pilot's seat.
What are the specifications of the Pilatus PC-6?
The specifications of the Pilatus PC-6 are given in the table below.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Range | 394 nmi |
| Ceiling | 25,000 ft |
| Climb | 1,010 ft/min |
| Speed | 125 knots |
| Capacity | 1,130 kg |
| Length | 11 m |
| Wingspan | 15.87 m |
| Height | 3.2 m |
| Wing | 30.15 m |
| Landing | 2,660 kg |
| Power | 620 shp |
The Pilatus PC-6 has a wingspan of 52.07 ft (15.87 m), length of 35.76 ft (10.90 m), and height of 10.50 ft (3.20 m). Its wing area is 324.54 sq ft (30.15 sq m). The cabin space inside is about 7.5 feet (2.29 m), with a width of 1.16 m (3.81 ft) and headroom of 1.28 m (4.20 ft). It has a max payload of up to 2,646 lb (1,200 kg).
The PC-6 Turbo-Porter has a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 turboprop engine with 550 hp, de-rated from 680 hp. Earlier Porter models had Lycoming piston engines. The first PC-6 flew on May 4, 1959 with a Lycoming GSO-480-B1A6 of 340 hp. There were also prototypes with Lycoming engines of 260 hp and 350 hp. However, the turbo version is the most popular.
Its max operating altitude is 25,000 ft (7,620 m), and service ceiling at max weight is 20,500 ft (6,248 m). Max cruise speed is 125 knots (232 km/h), and normal cruise is 115 knots (213 km/h). Stall speed is 58 KEAS with flaps up and 52 KEAS with full flaps. Max take-off weight is 6,173 lb (2,800 kg), max landing weight is 5,863 lb (2,659 kg), and rate of climb is 1,010 ft/min (308 m/min). So, the PC-6 has very good STOL capability.
What is the performance of the Pilatus PC-6?
The performance of the Pilatus PC-6 is given in the table below.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Climb | 1,010 ft/min |
| Speed | 125 knots |
| Cruise | 115 knots |
| Stall | 52 knots |
| Vne | 151 knots |
| Ceiling | 25,000 ft |
| Takeoff | 1,444 ft |
| Landing | 1,033 ft |
| Range | 500 nm |
| Payload | 2,646 lb |
The Pilatus PC-6 has a maximum cruise speed of 125 knots and a normal cruise speed of 115 knots. Its takeoff distance over a 50 ft (15.2 m) obstacle is 1,444 ft (440.1 m) and landing distance over a 50 ft (15.2 m) obstacle is 1,033 ft (314.9 m). It can take off within a distance of 195 meters (640 feet) and land within a distance of 130 meters (427 feet) with a payload of 1,200 kg (2,646 lbs). The service ceiling is 25,000 ft (7,620 m). The engine is a 550 hp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 turboprop.
How do the Pilatus PC-6 and Beechcraft King Air 350 differ?
Differences between the Pilatus PC-6 and Beechcraft King Air 350 are given in the table below.
| Aspect | Pilatus PC6 | King Air 350 |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 115 mph (185 km/h) | 312 knots |
| Top speed | 130 mph (209 km/h) | 312 mph (502 km/h) |
| Range | 800 km (497 miles) | 1800 nautical |
| Engine | Single | Dual |
| Backup engine | No | Yes |
| Cabin pressure | No | Yes |
| Ceiling | 12,000 ft (3657.6 m) | 35,000 ft (10668 m) |
| STOL | Yes | No |
| Cabin height | 4.2 ft (1.28 m) | 4.9 ft (1.5 m) |
| Cabin length | 10 ft (3.05 m) | 19.2 ft (5.85 m) |
| Seats | 10 | 9 |
| Payload | 2,600 lbs (1179.34 kg) | 5,192 lbs (2355.1 kg) |
| Takeoff distance | 640 ft (195.072 m) | 1000 m (3280.84 ft) |
| Landing distance | 150 m (492.13 ft) | 759 yards |
| Cost per hour | $600-$900 | $1,759-$3,300 |
| Fuel per hour | 40-50 gal (151.4-189.3 L) | 122 gal (462.3 L) |
| engine power | 550 hp | 1050 hp |
| landing gear | fixed | retractable |
The Beechcraft King Air 350 is faster than the Pilatus PC-6. The King Air 350 has a typical cruise speed of about 350 miles per hour (563 kilometers per hour), and the Pilatus PC-6 has a fastest speed of around 170 to 200 miles per hour (274 to 322 kilometers per hour). The King Air 350 has a pressurized cabin and can fly at 35,000 feet up, so it can escape stormy weather. The PC-6 has an unpressurized cabin and a ceiling below 10,000-12,000 feet, which is why it cannot go above fog. The King Air 350 has dual engines with 1,050 horsepower each, giving it extra engine safety. The PC-6 has a single Pratt and Canadian Whitney PT6A-27 engine with 550 horsepower, and does not have a backup engine. The King Air 350 has a range over 1500 sea miles (2400 kilometers), while the PC-6 can go 800 kilometers (500 miles).
The Pilatus PC-6 has a short takeoff and landing ability. It can work from rough, mountainous, and extremely compact airstrips. The King Air 350 does not have short takeoff and landing; it is limited to hard surfaces and runways exceeding half a mile. The PC-6 needs about 195 meters for takeoff on tarmac and 492 feet to stop on concrete. The King Air 350 needs about one kilometer for takeoff and 759 yards to stop. The PC-6 holds ten people and has a payload over 3 tons. The King Air 350 seats nine people and has a payload of about 5,192 pounds (2,355 kilograms). The PC-6 expenses per hour are from six hundred to nine hundred bucks, so it is cheaper than the King Air 350. The King Air 350 expenses are from 1759 to about three thousand three hundred bucks per hour. The PC-6’s main jobs are hauling goods, medevac, and search and rescue. The King Air 350’s primary roles are executive shuttle, reconnaissance, and freight transport.
What is the price of a Pilatus PC-6 Porter?
The base price of a Pilatus PC-6 Porter is $2.1 million. Price as tested is $2.4 million. Its unit cost in 1962 was $55,000. Its unit cost in 2010 was $1,900,000. Price of the PC-6 Top Prop from Hartzell is $30,200, or $32,800 with de-ice equipment installed.
Price is based on type and year of manufacture. PC6/B2H4’s 2017 price is one million six hundred thousand American dollars. PC6/B2H4’s 1986 price is 1 million euros. Individual listing price is at $799,894 and stops at $1,600,000. The PC6 Porter’s midtime engine price range is $1,200,000 to $1,500,000. A PT6A27 turboprop Pilatus PC6/B2H4 is listed for 2.25 million dollars.
You pay every 7 years to check the plane. It starts at one hundred thousand dollars. A check at 14 years costs one hundred thousand dollars. Liability lowers sale price of planes without a valid inspection. Engine part check is 60000 EUR. Fixing the piston is 25 thousand euros. Fixing the engine is 60000 EUR.
