Airplane Rolled Out Of Production Hangar On Swiss National Day

While most of the aviation attention in the U.S. was focused on Oshkosh last week, Swiss planemaker Pilatus debuted the PC-24 to the world on Swiss National Day August 1.

According to a Pilatus news release, some 25,000 spectators gathered for the rollout and the accompanying show. A team of 24 horses, chosen to symbolise the number appearing in the PC-24 product name and its future mission profile as a 'workhorse', pulled the first prototype out of the production halls. The new jet sports an elegant design in Swiss style, featuring chrome and gold-colored Alpine flowers.

The rollout was preceded by a fly-by of all the aircraft which have ever reached series production in the company's 75 year history. Over 120 performers and more than 160 children of company employees made the rollout an unforgettable event for high-ranking guests, customers and fans of Pilatus.

"Today's celebration is a clear sign of our commitment to Switzerland as a center of vision and action," said Oscar J. Schwenk, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pilatus. "Our company was established here in Stans exactly 75 years ago. We have seen our activities grow and expand here in Stans, and this is where we want to be in the future: in Stans, producing our aircraft for sale to customers around the world. It's wonderful that so many thousands of guests from Switzerland, and also from countries nearby and further afield, have made the effort to be with us here today, to celebrate this event together. The PC-24 marks a really important milestone in our 75-year history."

Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer, who attended the event, paid tribute to the success of Pilatus in his speech, remarking on the new Swiss business jet with great pride. He also announced that the members of the Federal Council have voted to buy a PC-24.

The PC-24 is the world's first ever business jet to come with a cargo door as standard equipment. Pilatus says it is capable of the kind of performance that allows it to operate in and out of very short runways or even unmade strips.

A total of three prototypes will be produced for the PC-24 test flight program. The maiden flight of the first prototype, which was presented at the rollout, will go ahead in spring 2015. Final certification and start of deliveries to customers are planned from 2017.

Pilatus took orders for 84 PC-24s at the European Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (EBACE) in May this year.

(Image provided by Pilatus)

FMI: www.pilatus.com