Pilatus recently announced it will formally complain to the JAA over its delay in allowing commercial single engine operations in Europe. The company said that this has resulted in a reduced European market for

the PC-12 and its counterparts such as the Cessna Caravan and the Socata TBM 700.

Research and development manager, John Senior, said: “Jobs will diminish not only at the aircraft manufacturers and their suppliers but also at the customers who are waiting to buy and operate these aircraft. Additionally the European public is continuing to be restricted from a form of transport proven to

be safe and suitable for their counterparts in other civilised areas of the world.”

At a press conference Senior suggested that the JAA had failed its own mandate, while the US, Canada and Australia had already been granted approval in recent years. He said: “This situation is damaging industry and restricting the European public from a means of safe and economic travel readily available to other major nations world-wide.”

At present most European countries and JAA rules restrict commercial use under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) to aircraft with more than one engine. Pilatus argues that turbine engines have become so reliable that manufacturers have been building and selling safe single engine turbine powered aircraft for years.

“However, because of restrictions their use has been restricted to private or corporate type operations only,” added Senior.

“During the last six years Pilatus has invested considerable effort and resources in supporting the approval process with fact and analysis. But still the JAA have not yet issued the requirements for comment and final approval. The time for change has long since arrived and the JAA must act quickly to correct an already damaged situation,” he concluded.