It Won't Be At Oshkosh ... But It'll Be A Big Deal

An historic moment for Pilatus Aircraft Ltd and a milestone in Swiss economic history is coming up in just a few days. The company is getting set to roll out the PC-24, the very first business jet to be "made in Switzerland".

Several thousand spectators are expected to attend the rollout event, including high-ranking guests from business and politics. The PC-24 prototype will be unveiled to the public for the first time on August 1. Pilatus says the final touches are currently being made to the aircraft to ensure the twin-engine jet is ready to be rolled out of the production hangar on Swiss National Day.
 
"For an aircraft constructor, the rollout is 'the big event'. I'm proud that we're able to design and build an aircraft as complex as this for sale on the worldwide market," said Oscar J. Schwenk, Chairman of the Board of Directors. "Our choice of date – Swiss National Day – was no coincidence, and is intended to show just what we can do here in Stans, in the heart of Switzerland."
 
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.

(Image from file)

FMI: http://rollout.pilatus-aircraft.com