Aviation News – Pilatus Aircraft has delivered the first PC-12 PRO to former HP CEO Dion Weisler, marking a major milestone for the Swiss manufacturer’s best-selling single-engine turboprop.
The aircraft, launched in spring 2025, is the latest evolution of Pilatus’ popular PC-12 series. Weisler, a long-time operator of the type, personally flew the new PC-12 PRO from Switzerland to Australia. This delivery highlights Pilatus’ continued dominance in the single-engine turboprop segment, with upgrades focused on safety, efficiency, and pilot workload reduction.
At the heart of the PC-12 PRO is the Pilatus Advanced Cockpit Environment (ACE), built on the Garmin G3000 Prime avionics suite. Among the key innovations is the “Safety Autoland” function, which can autonomously land the aircraft at the nearest airport if the pilot becomes incapacitated. This technology enhances operational safety and peace of mind for owners flying with family and colleagues.
“To me as a pilot, you rely on two things in particular: there’s the airplane, and then there’s the pilot,” said Dion Weisler. “If something happens to the pilot, what are your options? In the PC-12 PRO, the Safety Autoland function is absolutely invaluable. It keeps my family, my friends and anyone else on board safe.”
Weisler flew the aircraft on a 41-hour journey across six days, with stops in Crete, Egypt, Oman, India, Malaysia, Bali, and Darwin before arriving in Adelaide, South Australia. With the PC-12 PRO now entering service, Pilatus aims to strengthen its appeal to private operators who value both advanced safety and long-range versatility.
The delivery of the first PC-12 PRO underscores Pilatus’ strategy of incremental innovation, combining proven airframe reliability with state-of-the-art avionics. As more deliveries follow, the model is expected to set new benchmarks in its class for performance, safety, and owner confidence.
Photo Pilatus
