Operators taking delivery of PC-12s this year will benefit from significant improvements Pilatus has made to the aircraft. The useful fuel load has risen from 3,600 to 4,130 pounds and MTOW has increased from 9,920 to 10,450 pounds.

Pilatus states that the new aircraft also feature improved control harmony and new winglets, which reduce drag. Additional enhancements have been made to the crew seats and LED lighting systems.

"Our mission at Pilatus is quite simply to offer the most capable, highest quality, economical aircraft in business aviation," said John Senior, Pilatus Aircraft's vp of research and development. "We accomplish this by constantly seeking customer input on ways to improve the Pilatus ownership experience, and driving those ideas back into the product development process."

The worldwide PC-12 fleet now numbers more than 580 aircraft, logging over one million flight hours. Pilatus delivered 80 aircraft last year and plans to boost production of the PC-12 to meet increasing demand.