Pilatus PC-12 Range, Specifications, and Operating Costs: Comprehensive Guide.
PC12 Spacious cargo area supports diverse transport needs.
The Pilatus PC-12 is one of the most versatile and efficient turboprops available today. Whether you're a prospective owner or considering chartering a PC-12, understanding its range, flight performance, and operating costs is essential for making informed decisions.
💡 Use our interactive tool to calculate flight times, range, and operating costs for your specific route! This tool accounts for normal operations with 4 passengers and baggage and will give you a rough estimate of the PC12s overall cost, time to travel, and range.
PC-12 Range, Flight time, & Trip Cost Calculator
Operating Costs
While operating costs can vary based on location, usage, and pilot salaries, a safe rule of thumb is $2,000 per flight hour. This includes:
Fuel: ~$750/hour (Jet A @ ~65 gallons/hour)
Maintenance & Engine Reserves: ~$500/hour (Scheduled inspections, overhauls)
Crew & Fixed Costs: ~$750/hour (Pilot salaries, hangar, insurance)
Cost-Saving Tips:
Use fuel discount programs to lower Jet A expenses.
Consider shared ownership or leasing to offset expenses.
Preventative maintenance can reduce unexpected repair costs
Use an aircraft management company specializing in PC12 opeartions where experience and cost management strategies can be implemented.
Unsure if purchasing or chartering the Pilatus PC12 is right for you? Check out our article: PC12 Ownership vs. Chartering: Is It Time to Buy a Pilatus PC12?
Range & Flight Performance
The Pilatus PC-12 has a maximum range of 1,600 nautical miles (nm) at its normal cruise speed of 285 knots (328 mph). However, at extended range cruise settings, it can extend this to 1,800 nm under ideal conditions, though this is at much slower cruising speeds.
Key Factors Affecting Range:
Weather & Winds – Headwinds reduce range and increase flight time, while tailwinds extend range and shorten flight time. In the Northern Hemisphere (North America), the jet stream generally moves in an easterly direction, meaning eastbound flights typically experience shorter travel times and slightly greater range.
Conversely, westbound flights often encounter stronger headwinds, reducing range and increasing flight time. This effect is most noticeable during the winter months, when the jet stream tends to be stronger and more persistent.
In terms of weather, the summer months are notorious for large thunderstorm activity. With the PC-12’s maximum altitude of 30,000 feet, it is typically unable to climb above these storm systems, requiring pilots to navigate around them. This increases flight time and reduces the aircraft’s effective straight-line range.
Air Traffic Control Routing – Direct routing vs. ATC-imposed detours can significantly affect range and flight time. This is especially relevant when operating in busy airspace, where arrival procedures and traffic congestion may require indirect routing.
In certain regions, such as the Southwest United States, large restricted airspace zones (e.g., military and special-use airspace) require flights to deviate from a direct path, increasing distance flown and reducing range efficiency.
Aircraft Payload – More passengers and cargo reduce range. Simply put, a fully loaded PC-12 carrying 8-9 passengers (depending on configuration), baggage, and full fuel will have a shorter maximum range than a lightly loaded aircraft. The heavier the aircraft, the shorter the distance it can travel before requiring a fuel stop.
At TurbineProps, we specialize in PC-12 sales, acquisitions, and management solutions—ensuring you get the most out of this incredible aircraft. Get in touch and see why the Pilatus PC12 is one of the hottest investments of the 2025 Aviation Market.
PC12 Specifications:
Pilatus PC-12 Legacy
(PC-12/41, PC-12/45, PC-12/47) Production Years 1994-2008
1. Performance
Max Cruise Speed: 260 knots (299 mph, 482 km/h)
Max Range: ~1,500–1,800 nautical miles (depending on load & conditions)
Takeoff Distance (MTOW): ~2,600 feet
Landing Distance: ~2,200 feet
Maximum Operating Altitude: 30,000 feet
3. Powerplant & Systems
Engine: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67B
Thrust Output: 1,200 shaft horsepower (SHP)
Time Between Overhaul (TBO): 3,500 hours
Fuel Capacity: 402 gallons (1,522 liters)
Avionics: Early models use Bendix/King avionics, later models upgraded to more advanced systems
2. Dimensions & Capacity
Wingspan: 53 feet, 3 inches (16.23 meters)
Cabin Length: 16 feet, 11 inches (5.15 meters)
Cabin Width: 5 feet (1.52 meters)
Cabin Height: 4 feet, 10 inches (1.47 meters)
Cabin Volume: 330 cubic feet (9.34 cubic meters)
Seating Capacity: Up to 9 passengers (depending on configuration)
Max Gross Takeoff Weight (MTOW):
PC-12/41: 9,039 lbs
PC-12/45: 9,921 lbs
PC-12/47: 10,450 lbs
Pilatus PC-12 NG (Next Generation)
1. Performance
Max Cruise Speed: 280 knots (322 mph, 519 km/h)
Max Range: 1,730–1,845 nautical miles (depending on payload & conditions)
Takeoff Distance (MTOW): 2,485 feet
Landing Distance: 2,170 feet
Maximum Operating Altitude: 30,000 feet
3. Powerplant & Systems
Engine: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67P
Thrust Output: 1,200 shaft horsepower (SHP) with increased thermodynamic power
Time Between Overhaul (TBO): 4,000 hours (improved from the Legacy's 3,500-hour TBO)
Fuel Capacity: 402 gallons (1,522 liters)
Avionics: Honeywell Primus Apex Glass Cockpit with enhanced automation, situational awareness, and safety features
2. Dimensions & Capacity
Wingspan: 53 feet, 3 inches (16.23 meters)
Cabin Length: 16 feet, 11 inches (5.15 meters)
Cabin Width: 5 feet (1.52 meters)
Cabin Height: 4 feet, 10 inches (1.47 meters)
Cabin Volume: 330 cubic feet (9.34 cubic meters)
Seating Capacity: Up to 9 passengers (configurable in executive, commuter, or cargo layout)
Max Gross Takeoff Weight (MTOW): 10,450 lbs
Pilatus PC-12 NGX
Production Years 2019 to Present
1. Performance
Max Cruise Speed: 290 knots (333 mph, 537 km/h) (Fastest PC-12 variant to date)
Max Range: 1,803–1,845 nautical miles (Slightly improved efficiency over NG)
Takeoff Distance (MTOW): 2,485 feet
Landing Distance: 2,170 feet
Maximum Operating Altitude: 30,000 feet
2. Dimensions & Capacity
Wingspan: 53 feet, 3 inches (16.23 meters)
Cabin Length: 16 feet, 11 inches (5.15 meters)
Cabin Width: 5 feet (1.52 meters)
Cabin Height: 4 feet, 10 inches (1.47 meters)
Cabin Volume: 330 cubic feet (9.34 cubic meters)
Seating Capacity: Up to 9 passengers (available in executive, commuter, or cargo configurations)
Max Gross Takeoff Weight (MTOW): 10,450 lbs (Same as NG, but optimized for better efficiency)
3. Powerplant & Systems
Engine: Pratt & Whitney PT6E-67XP (Newest version with FADEC for better performance and fuel efficiency)
Thrust Output: 1,200 shaft horsepower (SHP) with automatic digital engine control (FADEC)
Time Between Overhaul (TBO): 5,000 hours (Longest of any PC-12 variant)
Fuel Capacity: 402 gallons (1,522 liters)
Avionics: Honeywell Primus Apex Enhanced Glass Cockpit with Autothrottle (First turboprop in its class with full autothrottle functionality)