Chilean agriculture and real estate entrepreneur Ignacio del Rio has taken delivery of the first Pilatus PC-24 in South America.

The Super Versatile Jet will fly under the Chilean registry. It is the 40th PC-24 delivered since the new business jet was certified in December 2017.

Del Rio, already a Pilatus owner flying a PC-12 NG, will keep both aircraft and operate them out of his base in Santiago. The new PC-24 will be used in support of del Rio's agriculture and real estate businesses in Chile, Peru and Colombia. The PC-24's speed will allow him to reduce trip times relative to those in his PC-12 NG, yet utilise the same runways, some as short as 2,930 feet (893 metres).

Jose Eduardo Ippolito Brandao, ceo of Synerjet Corporation, the authorised Pilatus Centre for South America says: “We are excited to help bring the first PC-24 to Chile, and to our loyal customer, Ignacio del Rio. The PC-24's speed, range, cabin size and ability to use short and unpaved runways make it the perfect aircraft for South America. We look forward to showing off the PC-24's capabilities to many interested prospects, and to delivering many more over the next several years.”

Thomas Bosshard, president and CEO of Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd adds: “We are very pleased that Ignacio is staying within the Pilatus family with both his PC-12 NG and now his new PC-24 Super Versatile Jet. All of us at Pilatus are grateful for his trust in us to help him grow his business and transport his family.”