Pilatus hands over the first PC-12 PRO

Progressive, Proven, Professional: the Pilatus Advanced Cockpit Environment ACE, based on the Garmin G3000 Prime, is at the heart of the new PC-12 PRO. Following on from the launch of the new model in spring 2025, the very first customer, Dion Weisler, recently took delivery of his brand-new aircraft and personally flew it home from Switzerland to Australia. 

Weisler, former CEO of HP Inc., has relied on the Most Advanced Single for many years: the PC-12 PRO is his fourth PC-12. Having previously owned a PC-12 NG and two PC-12 NGXs – his move to the PC-12 PRO is a clear sign of his long-standing confidence in the best-performing aircraft in its category.

“To me as a pilot, you rely on two things in particular: there’s the airplane, and then there’s the pilot. And if something happens to the pilot, what are your options? In the PC-12 PRO, you’ve got the new ‘Safety Autoland’ function – which I think is absolutely invaluable. It keeps my family, my friends and anyone else on board safe. If something happens to me, this system automatically takes control to get the aircraft back on the ground at the nearest airport. You can’t put a price on that additional peace of mind,” says Weisler.

41 hours of safe flying to Australia

Dion couldn’t pass up the opportunity to fly his PC-12 PRO back to Australia himself, together with one of the Pilatus pilots. The total flight time of 41 hours was split across six days, which saw them leave from Switzerland and fly via Crete, Egypt, Oman, India, Malaysia, Bali, and Darwin, before arriving “home” in Adelaide, South Australia.

“It was an incredible learning opportunity to fly my own aircraft home over such a vast distance with a factory pilot sitting right seat. In addition to visiting all these amazing countries, it really allowed me to consolidate the crossover training within the new Garmin cockpit environment and have someone right there to ask any questions about anything that popped up. I am thrilled to own this new intuitive and highly innovative aircraft, and look forward to flying many missions in the future with it.”

PC-12 PRO – The Most Advanced Single

André Zimmermann, Vice President Business Aviation commented: “Every decision behind the PC-12 PRO was driven by one question: How do we create more value for our customers? From enhanced cockpit technologies to refined comfort and performance, the PC-12 PRO reflects the voices of those who fly it. It is the result of listening, learning, and delivering – a new aircraft shaped entirely around the people at the heart of Pilatus.” 

The PC-12 PRO is the latest version of the world’s best-selling single-engine turboprop in its category. Equipped with the Garmin G3000 Prime and a completely redesigned cockpit which includes five high-resolution touchscreen displays, it offers state-of-the-art technology and comfort, coupled with a suite of new safety features which includes Safety Autoland. In a nutshell, it is The Most Advanced Single.

In a single-engine aircraft, a proven engine is the most important component – and the PC-12 PRO is equipped with the latest version of the most reliable aircraft engine ever produced: the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6. With over 60,000 engines in use and over 400 million flight hours, the PT6 family of engines has an unrivaled track record. The PT6 engine has already been successfully tested in over eleven million flight hours with the PC-12. Like its predecessor, the PC-12 PRO is also capable of operating with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which enables more sustainable flying at a consistently high level of performance.

In combination with the fully automatic Electronic Propeller and Engine Control System, the digital thrust control – or autothrottle system – reduces pilot workload, increases fuel efficiency, ensures a smoother flight experience and protects against engine overload. Together with additional new interior options, all these enhancements make the brand-new PC-12 PRO the most technologically advanced, highest performing, most reliable aircraft in its class.