New Pilatus PC24 private jet will take off this summer with Jetfly
The Pilatus PC24 is the world’s first “super versatile jet” and will take to the skies this June when Jetfly, which exclusively commissioned Philippe Starck to design its livery and interiors, takes delivery of two of the elite aircraft, making it the European launch customer.
According to Jetfly, a private aviation carrier based in Luxembourg that focuses on fractional ownership, the PC24 is “set to revolutionize the aviation marketplace” thanks to the “versatility of a turboprop, the cabin size of a medium-light jet, and the performance of a light jet.”
Manufacturer Pilatus says: “It’s a plane that simply doesn’t fit into any of the existing business jet categories. That’s why we had to create a new one: the super versatile jet category.”
What this means is that unlike equivalent jets of its size, the Swiss-made PC24 has been engineered to go “off-road” with the capability to land on fields of grass or snowy mountainsides. What’s more, it only needs runways as short as 850 meters, as opposed to 1,000 meters for other jets in its class. Pilatus says: “Its outstanding short-field performance – even on unpaved runways – opens up an incredible level of mobility.”
With a maximum range of 2,035km and a top speed of 440 knots, the PC24 can land at small air bases and ski resorts that might otherwise be inaccessible, in less time.
Pilatus says that there are about 10,650 airports around the world that have shorter tarmac runways of just 945 meters; while there are an additional 1,050 airports that become available when you only need 856 meters of asphalt strip. However, with the PC24, you can land at an additional 20,000 airports with grass or gravel surfaces.
Another unique selling point is the stylish Philippe Starck-designed livery (inspired the gold band around a cigar), which is only available on Jetfly, as well as the luxurious, spacious interior, which can seat eight passengers on soft, cream leather seats. Tables fold out from beneath the windows to create space to work or place meals. There are cubbies for iPads and bottles.
The cabin also has a flat bottom floor so that you can clip in extra seats, store skis, bikes or golf clubs. It also provides maximum headroom. At the back is a cargo door so your luggage can easily be stowed.
At the moment, there are only three PC24s in existence around the world, and very few people will be able to afford to buy one outright. Through Jetfly, however, wealthy members of the public can have the chance of owning a percentage of a PC24, which allows them a certain number of flying hours per year. In 2019, Jetfly will add two more to its fleet, taking the total up to four.
If you want a piece of the PC24, 70 hours a year (the share being one eighth) will cost you $1.37 million, plus a monthly management fee of €12,500. If you want to own 50% (280 hours of flying a year), it will cost $5.48 million plus a monthly management fee of €50,000.
Jetfly has 70 full-time pilots and offers guaranteed availability (it currently has a fleet of 24 PC12s), any time of day or night, to its 165 ultra-high net-worth co-owners. www.jetfly.com/en/ & forbes.com