%20.png)
How Much Does a Pilatus PC-12 Cost?
Pilatus PC-12: Charter Costs, Specs and Buyer's Guide
The Pilatus PC-12 is one of the most versatile aircraft in private aviation. Built in Switzerland since 1991, it combines a pressurised cabin, turboprop efficiency, and the ability to operate from short and unpaved runways that no private jet can reach. Over 2,000 have been delivered worldwide, making it the best-selling single-engine turboprop in business aviation history. This guide covers everything you need to know about chartering or buying a PC-12, including costs, specifications, variants, and how it compares to a light jet.
Key Takeaways
- Charter rates start from around $2,500 per hour, roughly 20 to 30% lower than a comparable light jet
- The PC-12 can operate from runways as short as 2,650 feet and on unpaved surfaces, opening destinations no jet can reach
- Seats up to 9 passengers with a flat-floor cabin, fully enclosed lavatory, and rear cargo door
- Three active variants available: PC-12 NG, PC-12 NGX, and the new PC-12 PRO announced in 2025
- Purchase prices range from around $2.5 million for pre-owned models to over $5.5 million new
What is the Pilatus PC-12?
The PC-12 is a single-engine, pressurised turboprop manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft in Stans, Switzerland. Powered by a Pratt and Whitney PT6A engine, it is certified for single-pilot IFR operations and capable of cruising at up to 285 knots at a service ceiling of 30,000 feet. Its range of approximately 1,800 nautical miles covers most regional and medium-haul sectors without refuelling.
What distinguishes the PC-12 from other turboprops and light jets is its combination of cabin size, short-field performance, and operating economy. A large rear cargo door, flat-floor cabin, and fully enclosed lavatory make it as practical as it is comfortable. It has been used for corporate transport, air ambulance operations, cargo missions, and government special operations worldwide.
PC-12 Variants at a Glance
Three variants of the PC-12 are currently active in the charter market. The differences are meaningful and worth understanding before booking.
Charter rates are based on current on-demand pricing. For exact pricing on your route, see our rates page or request a quote directly.
The PC-12 PRO: What Changed in 2025
Pilatus announced the PC-12 PRO in March 2025, with deliveries beginning in late 2025. It is the most significant update to the platform since the NGX. Key changes include a Garmin G3000 Prime avionics suite with autoland capability, PC-24-inspired yokes, and an updated Pratt and Whitney PT6E-68XP engine with dual-channel FADEC for improved fuel management and lower maintenance costs. The cabin has been redesigned to match the standards of the Pilatus PC-24, with improved soundproofing and premium finish options. The PRO retains all the short-field and rough-surface capability of its predecessors while adding safety technology previously found only on jet-class aircraft.
PC-12 Specifications
Cabin and Amenities
The PC-12 cabin is wider and taller than most people expect from a turboprop. The flat floor runs the full length of the passenger area, and the cabin can be configured for six, eight, or up to nine passengers depending on the layout. Executive configurations typically seat six to eight in club-style seating with generous legroom. A fully enclosed lavatory sits at the rear, separated from the passenger area by a partition — a feature that remains uncommon in this aircraft class. The large rear cargo door allows oversized baggage, sports equipment, or freight to be loaded directly without disturbing the passenger cabin. Many PC-12s are also equipped with onboard Wi-Fi, making them practical for business travel on longer regional sectors.
PC-12 Charter Costs
Chartering a Pilatus PC-12 typically costs between $2,500 and $3,500 per flight hour depending on the variant, routing, and operator. The PC-12 PRO commands rates at the top of this range given its newer technology and cabin standard.
Our on-demand charter rates for turboprops start from £2,150 / $2,900 per hour, covering aircraft, crew, and standard operating costs. Additional costs such as landing fees, handling, and catering are quoted separately. For routes to remote or unusual airports where positioning is required, the total cost will reflect the aircraft's travel to and from the departure point.
PC-12 vs Light Jet: Which is Right for Your Route?
The PC-12 cruises at around 285 knots, roughly 30 to 40 knots slower than a light jet such as the Embraer Phenom 300. On a one-hour sector that difference is around 10 to 15 minutes of extra flight time. On the same route, the PC-12 burns approximately 40 to 60% less fuel, and charter rates run 20 to 30% lower.
The more significant advantage is runway access. The PC-12 can operate from strips as short as 2,650 feet and from grass, gravel, and compacted sand surfaces. It accesses over 3,000 more airports than light jets, including alpine airstrips, island destinations, remote estates, and regional fields that no jet can reach. For routes between major airports where speed is the priority, a light jet will be faster. For routes where access, cost, or operational flexibility matter more, the PC-12 is the stronger choice.
For a guide to which aircraft perform best on short runways, see our post on best private jets for short runways.
PC-12 Purchase Costs
Buying a PC-12 involves a lower entry point than most private jets while delivering comparable cabin utility for regional travel.
One notable characteristic of the PC-12 is its strong residual value. The aircraft retains approximately 80 to 85% of its selling price after 10 years under average use, outperforming most comparable turboprops and light jets in depreciation terms.
Annual ownership costs typically range from $400,000 to $600,000, covering crew, maintenance, insurance, hangar, and fuel. For clients flying fewer than 200 hours per year, on-demand charter typically offers better value than ownership. For a full comparison of charter vs ownership economics, see our guide to how much a private jet costs.
Who Charters the PC-12?
The PC-12 attracts a specific type of traveller. Executives flying to regional business parks or smaller airfields where jets cannot land. Families travelling to mountain resorts or island destinations with short strips. Medical operators requiring a pressurised aircraft capable of rough-field operations. Government and special missions teams needing a reliable single-engine platform with large cargo capacity. Its versatility means it is one of the few aircraft equally at home serving a remote Kenyan airstrip, a Swiss alpine resort, and a US regional business route.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
How fast does the Pilatus PC-12 fly?
The PC-12 cruises at approximately 285 knots, equivalent to around 328 mph or 528 km/h. It reaches a service ceiling of 30,000 feet, the same as many light jets, allowing it to operate above most weather systems on regional routes.
Does the Pilatus PC-12 have a bathroom?
Yes. The PC-12 is equipped with a fully enclosed lavatory at the rear of the cabin, separated from the passenger area by a partition with a locking door. This is standard on most charter-configured PC-12s and is one of the features that distinguishes it from smaller turboprops.
How many passengers can a PC-12 carry?
The PC-12 can seat up to 9 passengers in its standard airliner configuration. Most charter-configured aircraft carry 6 to 8 passengers in executive seating layouts. A tenth passenger can sit in the cockpit in owner-operated contexts, though this is not available on charter flights.
What is the difference between the PC-12 NG, NGX and PRO?
The NG introduced the Honeywell Apex avionics suite and winglets. The NGX added an electronic propeller control system and a slow propeller mode that significantly reduces cabin noise on approach. The PRO, announced in 2025, brings a Garmin G3000 Prime cockpit with autoland capability, a redesigned cabin, and a new engine variant with improved fuel management.
Is the PC-12 safer than a twin-engine aircraft?
The PT6A engine has one of the best reliability records in commercial aviation, with a mean time between unscheduled removals exceeding 10,000 hours. Single-engine operation is approved for IFR commercial flights in most jurisdictions. Pilatus designed the PC-12 to deliver safety equivalent to twin-engine aircraft through engine reliability rather than redundancy.
Ready to Charter a PC-12?
The PC-12 is available through Global Charter for on-demand charter across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. Whether you need access to a remote destination or simply want a cost-efficient turboprop for a regional sector, our team can advise on availability and routing. Request a quote today and let us find the right aircraft for your journey.