The Pilatus PC-24 is a light business jet designed and developed by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland. The twin-engine jet extends to the popular PC-12, offering greater range and speed. Introduced in May 2013, the aircraft performed its maiden flight two years later, in May 2015, and deliveries of the first aircraft began in February 2018.
Depending on the number of flying hours, the annual operating cost of a Pilatus PC-24 ranges between $925 and $1.5 million. This article explores the fixed and direct operating costs of Pilatus PC-24 aircraft.
The Pilatus PC-24
- Crew: One or two
- Capacity: 10 passengers
- Length: 16.85 m (55 ft 2 in)
- Wingspan: 17.0 m (55 ft 9 in)
- Height: 5.4 m (17 ft 4 in)
- Empty weight: 5,244 kg (11,561 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 8,500 kg (18,700 lb) [28]
- Fuel capacity: 2,705 kg / 5,965 lb, 888.5 US gal (3,363 L)
- Max payload: 1,406 kg (3,100 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Williams FJ44-4A turbofans, 15 kN (3,400 lbf) thrust each
Photo: Pilatus Aircraft
The Pilatus PC-24 features a spacious cabin, offering ultimate comfort for passengers and utility for operators. According to Pilatus Aircraft,
“The PC-24 delivers the ultimate blend of passenger comfort, the finest interior craftsmanship and unmatched cabin customization. Its cabin volume tops business jets costing almost twice as much. The cabin provides enough room for six executive seats plus an extended aft divan. The divan provides an amenity usually only seen in much more expensive intercontinental business jets.”
Cabin dimensions
- Cabin height: 5 ft 1 in (1.55 m)
- Cabin width: 5 ft 7 in (1.69 m)
- Cabin length: 23 ft 0 in (7.01 m)
- Cabin altitude: 8,000 ft (2,438 m) at 45,000 ft (13,716 m)
Operating cost of a Pilatus PC-24
The operating cost of the Pilatus PC-24 is calculated based on the aircraft’s fixed costs and direct operating costs. While fixed costs comprise aircraft management, hangar and parking fees, crew salaries, training and development, and aircraft insurance.
Photo: Pilatus
Fixed costs may vary based on the geographical location and other environmental factors. Notably, the capital cost of purchasing or leasing the aircraft is not included in this calculation.
Fixed costs
When determining fixed costs, the cost of aircraft management, storage, insurance, and crew must be considered. It is worth mentioning that the fixed costs remain the same irrespective of the aircraft usage. In this case, a salaried crew, including a pilot and a flight attendant is considered. Liberty Jet states that the fixed cost of a Pilatus PC-24 is approximately $300K, as detailed in the table below.
| Cost | Flying 200 hours/year | Flying 400 hours/year |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed Costs | ||
| Crew | $160,000 | $160,000 |
| Crew Training | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Hangar | $27,600 | $27,600 |
| Insurance | $22,900 | $22,900 |
| Jet Management | $48,000 | $48,000 |
| Miscellaneous Fixed | $15,000 | $15,000 |
| Total Fixed Costs | $298,500 | $298,500 |
Photo: Pilatus
Notably, there can be quite a bit of variation in these costs, depending on the location and other external factors. The annual cost of a hangar and aircraft insurance may run $50,000 at a small airfield in a suburban location, whereas these costs can go as high as $100K at a large aircraft in a metropolitan location. Similarly, crew salaries and benefits can also vary by location and cost of living in the area.
Direct operating costs
The direct operating costs of the Pilatus PC-24 are based on the cost of fuel and maintenance of the aircraft. Liberty Jet states that the annual fuel cost of the Pilatus PC-24 is approximately $188K when flying approximately 200 hours annually, and about $375K when flying 400 hours a year.
Photo: Pilatus Aircraft
The cost of fixed-based operators (FBO), maintenance, and overhaul of the aircraft brings the direct operating cost up to approximately $630K for 200 hours, and $1.25 million for 400 flying hours annually.
| Cost | Flying 200 hours/year | Flying 400 hours/year |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Operating Costs (DOC) | ||
| Fuel Cost @ $7.23/gal Updated to Nat’l Avg Each Week | $187,980 | $375,960 |
| Maintenance | $356,600 | $713,200 |
| Engine Overhaul | $38,400 | $76,600 |
| Misc Crew/Landing/Handling | $40,000 | $80,000 |
| Miscellaneous Variable | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| Total Direct Operating Costs (DOC) | $627,980 | $1,255,960 |
Total operating costs
Combining fixed and direct operating costs, the total annual budget for maintaining a Pilatus PC-24 ranges between $926K and $1.55 million, depending on the use. Liberty Jet states that with the PC-24’s average speed of 402 mph, the cost per mile is approximately $11.33 for 200 hours annually and $9.56 for 400 hours of annual flying.
Photo: Pilatus Aircraft
| Cost | Flying 200 hours/year | Flying 400 hours/year |
|---|---|---|
| Total Direct Operating Costs (DOC) | $627,980 | $1,255,960 |
| Total Fixed Costs | $298,500 | $298,500 |
| Total Annual Budget | $926,480 | $1,554,460 |