Kazakhstan-based Pilatus PC-12 air ambulance operator Dala Air has signed a contract to purchase two ambulance PC-12 NGXs from authorised sales and service centre Balance Aviation, for delivery in 2023.

CEO Vyacheslav Romanenko says: "We are glad to increase our fleet of Pilatus PC-12 NGX turboprops and continue our partnership with the industry leader Pilatus Aircraft.”

The aircraft will be delivered in medevac configuration, with medical modules manufactured by Spectrum Aeromed and certified to FAA and EASA standards, and equipped with the medical equipment required to provide emergency medical care.

Balance sales director Alexei Mordvintsev says: "The unique performance of the Swiss PC-12 NGX aircraft makes them irreplaceable in the harsh climatic and geographical conditions of Kazakhstan and the entire Central Asian region. The aircraft are designed to use short unpaved runways which allows them to access small remote airfields, and their wide cargo door allows easy boarding and unloading, including patients on stretchers. We are confident that the contract for the delivery of two new aircraft to one of the leading air ambulance operators in the region, Dala Air, will be an important step to further strengthen and develop our cooperation.”

The PC-12 is widely used in air ambulance missions in Australia, Canada, the US and South Africa. Pilatus Aircraft estimates a total of more than 100 PC-12s in the world are used in air ambulance service. One of the most striking examples of the effective use of these aircraft was the Australian company Royal Flying Doctor successfully performing medical missions on this type of aircraft.

The single engine turboprop can carry up to nine passengers depending on the configuration, has a top speed of 537 km/h and can fly up to 3,426 km without refuelling.

The PC-12 NGX is the third generation of Switzerland's Pilatus PC-12 turboprop aircraft. A number of new technologies have been introduced on the aircraft, increasing its efficiency, reliability, comfort and safety. A unique distinguishing feature of all PC-12 aircraft is their wide cargo door measuring 1.35 x 1.32 m, that opens directly into the cabin.