Pilatus' second PC-24 prototype (P02) has completed its maiden flight. The jet took off from Buochs airport in Switzerland and flew for a total of 82 minutes. Combined with the maiden flight of the first PC-24 prototype (P01) in May of this year, the test flight programme will eventually comprise roughly 2,300 airborne hours. After completing initial test flights in Switzerland, P02 will be deployed mainly in the USA and in Canada, where it will undergo systems tests and certification flights in partnership with suppliers. Avionics and autopilot will be scrutinised and the programme will also include cold weather trials and icing tests.

P01 has completed 143 hours in 87 flights since May. Numerous aerodynamic tests have been carried out in the air, including tests to determine slow-flight handling, centre of gravity and flutter testing, as well as high altitude flights. An average of 15 points were tested during each flight.

Chairman Oscar J Schwenk comments: "The PC-24 test flight programme is well underway and we are pleased with the initial results. It flies entirely as expected and we are confident of our ability to achieve or even exceed the expected performance. We have identified some teething problems, and that is entirely normal; the purpose of a prototype is to pinpoint areas requiring early attention in order to remedy them as soon as possible. “We take pride in testing to the limit so that we can deliver a Pilatus Aircraft of uncompromising quality to our customers.”

Capable of flying in and out of very short runways and unmade strips, the PC-24 comes equipped with a cargo door as standard. The jet also features a spacious cabin. Certification and delivery of the first series production aircraft to customers is planned from the third quarter of 2017.