Pilatus On Track For 80 PC-12 Deliveries in 2005

In another sign pointing to the overall health and -- dare we say -- robustness of the commercial aviation biz of late, Boise, ID-based Western Aircraft celebrated the delivery of their 100th PC-12 aircraft Friday. The aircraft is the 80th PC-12 delivered worldwide for 2005, according to Pilatus.

Sources at Western Aircraft tells Aero-News the new Pilatus was delivered to Butler Machinery Company, which provides sales, rental, parts and service for various construction and agricultural machinery in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota. This was Butler's third PC-12 aircraft purchase.

"The entire Pilatus team is proud of this major accomplishment by our partners at Western Aircraft," said Thomas Bosshard, President and CEO of Pilatus Business Aircraft, Ltd. "Western Aircraft has been a model distributor for Pilatus, both in terms of aircraft sales and after-sale customer support. Western's dedication to customer satisfaction and their first-class representation of the Pilatus brand has been invaluable for both of our companies. We look forward to many more years of success together."

According to Allen Hoyt, Western Aircraft's Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, "Western Aircraft is both proud and pleased that Pilatus chose us as their partner in the distribution and support of this exciting aircraft back in 1996. We still believe today that the PC-12 aircraft is ideally suited to meet the travel needs of our customers throughout our vast territory. Western Aircraft looks forward to many more years of success representing the Pilatus brand."

Western's 100th PC-12 delivery brings the worldwide fleet of PC-12 business aircraft up to 583 total aircraft. The PC-12 was originally certified and began deliveries in 1994.

According to Pilatus, the PC-12 has been the top-selling turbine-powered business aircraft in the world for the past two years -- and the company hopes to make it a triple-play in 2005.

FMI: www.westair.com, www.pilatus-aircraft.com