Pilatus Business Aircraft's single-engine turboprop, the PC-12, has recently topped 200,000 flight hours. In an announcement made at NBAA, Angelo Fiataruolo, the company's president and ceo, reported that as of October 9, 2000 worldwide deliveries of the PC-12 had reached 225 units and the current backlog numbers over 70 orders.

He said, "I am confident that in the next year or so, we will be able to announce significant modifications and improvements to the PC-12 which will further expand demand."

The PC-12 is larger than other single or multi-engine turboprops, says Pilatus with a 330 cubic foot cabin, and has a 270 kt cruise speed and a VFR range of 2,200 nm. Although about 80 percent of the PC-12s delivered to date have been to business owners, the PC-12 is also used in air ambulance, cargo, and as a commuter airliner.