Light Jet (Super Versatile Jet)
Pilatus PC-24: Complete Specs, Performance, and Buyer's Guide (2026)
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd
Pilatus PC-24: Complete Specs, Performance, and Buyer's Guide (2026)
The Pilatus PC-24 is the only "Super Versatile Jet" in production, combining 2,000 nautical miles of range, 440 ktas (Mach 0.74) cruise, and full rough-field certification (grass, gravel, dirt, snow) in a platform that lands in 2,355 feet and offers the largest cabin in the light jet class. Powered by twin Williams FJ44-4A turbofans, equipped with the Pilatus Advanced Cockpit Environment based on Honeywell Primus Epic 2, and certified for single-pilot operation. Factory list price: $11,900,000.
For operators who fly to airports where other light jets cannot legally operate, the PC-24 has no direct equivalent in the market.
Pilatus PC-24 Specifications at a Glance
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Category | Light Jet / Super Versatile Jet |
| First Flight | May 11, 2015 |
| FAA and EASA Certified | December 7, 2017 |
| First Customer Delivery | February 7, 2018 |
| Rough-Field Certification | January 2020 (grass, gravel, dirt, wet earth, snow) |
| Steep Approach Certification | 5.5° (London City and similar) |
| Crew | 1 or 2 pilots (single-pilot certified) |
| Passengers (Standard) | 6 to 8 in club configuration |
| Passengers (Max) | 10 to 11 in high-density |
| Max Range (NBAA IFR) | 2,000 nm |
| Max Cruise Speed | 440 to 446 ktas (Mach 0.74) |
| Max Operating Altitude | 45,000 ft |
| Engines | 2× Williams FJ44-4A |
| Thrust per Engine | 3,420 lbf |
| Avionics | Pilatus ACE (Honeywell Primus Epic 2) |
| Max Takeoff Weight | 18,300 lbs (post-2018 MTOW increase) |
| Cabin Length | 23.0 ft |
| Cabin Width | 5.58 ft (67 in) |
| Cabin Height | 5.08 ft (61 in) |
| Cabin Volume | Largest in class |
| Total Baggage Volume | 90 cubic ft (cabin-accessible, heated, pressurized) |
| Balanced Field Length | 2,810 ft |
| Landing Distance | 2,355 ft |
| New Price (2025) | $11,900,000 |
History and Development
Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland built the PC-24 as its first jet-powered aircraft, following the global success of the PC-12 single-engine turboprop. The mission: combine the PC-12's rough-field capability with true jet performance.
The lineage:
- PC-24 Announced: May 21, 2013 at EBACE Geneva
- First Prototype Rollout: August 1, 2014 (Swiss National Day)
- First Flight: May 11, 2015
- EASA and FAA Certification: December 7, 2017
- First Customer Delivery: February 7, 2018 to a fractional operator
- MTOW Increase: October 11, 2018 (from 17,650 to 18,300 lbs, from serial 31)
- Rough-Field Certification: January 2020 (grass, wet earth, snow)
- Steep Approach Certification: London City Airport 5.5°
Pilatus sold the initial production run of 84 units in just 36 hours at EBACE 2014. By May 2019, 30 units had been delivered. By January 2021, the 100th PC-24 was delivered. As of mid-2025, production continues at approximately 40 to 50 units annually.
What Makes the PC-24 "Super Versatile"
The PC-24 is the only business jet certified to land on:
- Paved runways (obviously)
- Grass runways
- Gravel runways
- Wet earth runways
- Dirt runways
- Snow runways
This certification opens approximately 21,000 airports worldwide to the PC-24, versus roughly 11,000 for conventional light jets. For corporate operators in Africa, Latin America, Australia, Canada, Northern Europe, and remote U.S. destinations, this is mission-critical capability.
The aircraft is also equipped with:
- Long-stroke trailing-arm landing gear suspension: Flattens rough surfaces
- High-pressure main wheels: Prevent sinking in soft surfaces
- Abradable flap materials: Easily replaced if damaged by debris in the field
- Wing flaps designed to protect engines from loose debris
Exterior Dimensions and Airframe
The PC-24 is a low-wing cantilever cabin monoplane with a T-tail and retractable tricycle landing gear. The fuselage and doors share design DNA with the proven PC-12 platform.
| Exterior Dimension | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Overall Length | 55 ft 2 in |
| Wingspan | 55 ft 9 in |
| Height | 17 ft 4 in |
| Wing Area | 332.7 sq ft |
The wing incorporates double-slotted flaps for the required short-field performance.
Cabin Interior and Passenger Experience
The PC-24's cabin is the largest in the light jet class, with dimensions that often surpass jets costing twice as much. The interior is designed by BMW Designworks, with North American interiors completed at Pilatus's Broomfield, Colorado facility.
Cabin Dimensions
| Cabin Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Cabin Length | 23.0 ft |
| Cabin Width | 5.58 ft (67 inches) |
| Cabin Height | 5.08 ft (61 inches) |
| Cargo Door | Standard (light jet first) |
Seating Configurations
The PC-24's modular cabin supports a wide range of mission profiles:
- Executive Six: Club-four plus two forward
- Executive Eight: Club configuration with extended cabin layout
- Standard 10-Passenger: For corporate shuttle missions
- High-Density 11-Passenger: With cockpit jumpseat
- Combi (Passenger + Cargo): Mixed seating and cargo via standard cargo door
- Medevac: Stretcher capability via cargo door
- Cargo Configuration: All seats removed for pallet-sized loads
Cabin Features
- Standard pallet-sized cargo door: Industry-first on a business jet, simplifies loading
- Cargo-accessible baggage compartment: Heated and pressurized
- Modular seating: Reconfigurable for mission profile
- Foldable divan with optional bed conversion: Genuine sleeping surface
- Lavatory across from airstair: Forward-positioned for high-density seating
- BMW Designworks interior: Premium materials and design
- Cabin altitude of 8,000 ft at FL450: Standard
- Dual climate control zones: Pilot and cabin
- In-flight connectivity options: Available
Baggage Capacity
The PC-24 provides 90 cubic feet of cabin-accessible baggage compartment, all of it heated and pressurized. The standard cargo door enables loading of skis, bicycles, hunting gear, surfboards, and other oversized equipment that simply will not fit in competing light jets.
Performance Specifications
Speed and Range
| Performance Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Max Cruise Speed | 446 ktas (Mach 0.74) |
| Long-Range Cruise | 372 ktas (Mach 0.65) |
| Range (NBAA IFR) | 2,000 nm |
| Service Ceiling | 45,000 ft |
| Cabin Altitude at FL450 | 8,000 ft |
| Fuel Flow at LRC | 850 lb/hr total |
| Fuel Flow at Max Cruise | 970 lb/hr total |
Runway Performance (the Headline Number)
| Field Performance | Value |
|---|---|
| Balanced Field Length | 2,810 ft |
| Landing Distance | 2,355 ft |
| Rough-Field Certification | Grass, gravel, dirt, wet earth, snow |
| Steep Approach Certification | 5.5° (LCY, etc.) |
The PC-24's 2,355 ft landing distance is shorter than most VLJs, let alone light jets. Combined with rough-field certification, this opens approximately 10,000 additional airports vs. conventional competitors.
Typical Mission Examples
- New York to Aspen (1,629 nm)
- Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas (910 nm)
- London to Marrakech (1,221 nm)
- Geneva to Kitzbühel (gravel strip access)
- Zurich to Reykjavik (1,164 nm)
- Cape Town to Botswana (remote operations)
- Yellowknife and Arctic operations on unimproved strips
Engines and Systems
Two Williams International FJ44-4A turbofans power the PC-24, each producing 3,420 lbf of thrust (6,840 lbf total). Mounted in nacelles on the side of the rear fuselage.
Systems highlights:
- FADEC: Full Authority Digital Engine Control
- Brake-by-Wire: Standard
- Trailing-Arm Landing Gear: Long-stroke design for rough field operation
- Pallet-Sized Cargo Door: Industry-first on a business jet
- Standard Fresh Air System: Cabin ventilation through engines
- Single-Point Pressure Refueling: Standard
Avionics and Flight Deck
The Pilatus Advanced Cockpit Environment (ACE) is built around the Honeywell Primus Epic 2 integrated avionics system. The PC-24 was certified for single-pilot operation from day one.
Standard avionics features:
- Synthetic Vision System (SVS): 3D terrain awareness
- Graphical Flight Planning: Touch-driven
- Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS): Standard
- Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance (LPV): WAAS-capable
- Honeywell Primus Epic 2: Mature integrated suite
- Enhanced Vision System: Optional
- Steep approach mode: Standard for LCY-class operations
The ACE is designed to minimize pilot workload and is widely regarded as one of the most intuitive cockpits in the segment.
Operating Costs and Economics
Direct Operating Cost Breakdown
| Cost Item | Per Hour |
|---|---|
| Fuel (approximately 175 gph average) | $1,225 to $1,575 |
| Engine Reserve | $400 |
| Airframe Maintenance | $350 |
| Misc Variable | $200 |
| Total Variable Cost | ~$2,175 to $2,525/hr |
Annual Fixed Cost Estimates (450 hours per year)
| Cost Item | Annual |
|---|---|
| Crew (single-pilot or two-crew) | $0 to $230,000 |
| Hangar | $50,000 to $70,000 |
| Insurance | $40,000 to $60,000 |
| Recurrent Training | $25,000 |
| Subscriptions, Connectivity | $20,000 |
| Total Annual Fixed | ~$280,000 to $405,000 |
Total annual budget at 450 hours: approximately $1.5 to $1.9 million, or roughly $3,300 to $4,400 per hour all-in.
Charter Rates
PC-24 charter rates run $5,000 to $6,500 per flight hour.
Pricing: New and Pre-Owned
| Market | Price Range |
|---|---|
| New PC-24 (2025 list) | $11,900,000 |
| Pre-Owned 2022 to 2023 | $10,500,000 to $11,500,000 |
| Pre-Owned 2020 to 2021 | $9,500,000 to $10,500,000 |
| Pre-Owned 2018 to 2019 | $7,500,000 to $9,000,000 |
PC-24 supply remains tight given annual production capacity is approximately 40 to 50 aircraft.
Mission Profile: Who Should Buy a PC-24?
Best fit profiles:
- Operators Flying Short or Unimproved Runways: No direct equivalent in the market
- PC-12 Owners Stepping Up: Natural progression with familiar Pilatus DNA
- Mountain Resort and Remote Operations: Aspen, Kitzbühel, Africa, Latin America
- Mixed Mission Operators: Combi configurations for cargo plus passenger
- Medevac Operators: Standard cargo door simplifies stretcher loading
- Family Operators With Sports Equipment: Surfboards, bikes, skis fit easily
Less suited if:
- You operate exclusively from major paved airports (CJ4 or Phenom 300E offer faster cruise)
- You need Mach 0.80 speed (PC-24 is slower at Mach 0.74)
- You want the most established service network (Cessna and Embraer larger)
PC-24 vs. Direct Competitors
| Aircraft | Range (nm) | Max Cruise | Landing Distance | New Price | Rough Field |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilatus PC-24 | 2,000 | 446 ktas | 2,355 ft | $11.9M | Yes (certified) |
| Embraer Phenom 300E | 2,010 | 464 ktas | 2,220 ft | $10.995M | No |
| Citation CJ4 Gen2 | 2,165 | 451 ktas | 3,038 ft | $11.6M | No |
| Citation CJ3+ Gen2 | 2,040 | 416 ktas | 2,770 ft | $11.0M | No |
The PC-24 trades 4 to 18 knots of cruise speed for unique capability that no competitor matches. For its target buyer, that trade is mandatory.
Pros and Cons
What the PC-24 Does Well
- Only business jet with rough-field certification (grass, gravel, dirt, snow)
- Largest cabin in the light jet class
- Standard pallet-sized cargo door (industry first)
- Shortest landing distance in the light jet category (2,355 ft)
- Steep approach certified (London City, etc.)
- BMW Designworks interior
- Pilatus's deserved reputation for build quality and dispatch reliability
- Modular cabin: combi, medevac, executive, cargo
Tradeoffs to Understand
- Slower cruise than Phenom 300E and CJ4 Gen2
- Pilatus service network is smaller than Cessna or Embraer (though growing)
- Wait times for new builds can exceed two years
- Premium price relative to CJ3+ Gen2 and Phenom 300E base trims
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a "Super Versatile Jet"?
Pilatus coined "Super Versatile Jet" to describe the PC-24's unique combination of light jet performance and turboprop-style rough-field capability. It is the only certified business jet that can land on grass, gravel, dirt, wet earth, and snow runways.
How far can a Pilatus PC-24 fly?
The PC-24 has a maximum NBAA IFR range of approximately 2,000 nautical miles, covering most U.S. transcontinental city pairs and substantial international missions.
How many passengers does the PC-24 carry?
Standard configurations seat 6 to 8 passengers. Maximum certified capacity is 10 to 11 occupants in high-density configurations.
Is the PC-24 single-pilot certified?
Yes. The PC-24 is certified for single-pilot operation from day one, with the Pilatus Advanced Cockpit Environment specifically designed for low single-pilot workload.
What is the PC-24 cargo door?
The PC-24 is the first business jet equipped with a standard pallet-sized cargo door. It enables loading of bulky equipment, medical stretchers, sporting goods, and palletized freight that will not fit through conventional jet passenger doors.
Can the PC-24 land on unpaved runways?
Yes. The PC-24 received rough-field certification in January 2020 for operations on grass, gravel, dirt, wet earth, and snow runways.
Can the PC-24 land at London City Airport?
Yes. The PC-24 is certified for the 5.5-degree steep approach required at London City Airport (LCY) and similar restricted-approach airfields.
How much does a PC-24 cost to operate per year?
A typical owner flying 450 hours per year should budget $1.5 to $1.9 million annually, working out to approximately $3,300 to $4,400 per hour all-in.
What is the difference between a PC-12 and a PC-24?
The PC-12 is a single-engine turboprop while the PC-24 is a twin-engine jet. The PC-24 cruises 130+ ktas faster, climbs to 45,000 ft (vs 30,000 ft), carries similar passengers, and shares much of the PC-12's rough-field capability while delivering true jet performance.
The Bottom Line
The Pilatus PC-24 is the only answer when the mission profile demands both jet performance and runway flexibility that no other jet can match. It is not the fastest light jet, and Pilatus's service network is still developing relative to Cessna and Embraer, but for the right operator the PC-24 enables missions that simply cannot be flown on any other certified jet.
Quantum Jets supports the platform across private jet charter, private jet rental, private jet card programs, aircraft purchase, jet purchase, jet sales, aircraft sales, aircraft management, jet management, private jet management, aircraft maintenance, aircraft refurbishment, fractional jet access, aircraft lease, and aircraft leasing structures.
Talk to a Quantum Jets broker for current PC-24 market intelligence, charter access, or acquisition advisory. With tight supply and wait-list dynamics, deal sourcing and timing matter.
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Book a Pilatus PC-24 on the Quantum Jets App by AVIA Technologies
The Quantum Jets mobile app, built by AVIA Technologies, is the private jet charter marketplace app for the Pilatus PC-24 and the rest of the Quantum Jets catalog. The Quantum Jets app is available as an iOS app on the Apple App Store and as an Android app on Google Play. Whether the goal is a one-off jet charter, recurring private jet rental, a private jet card program, or a deeper engagement spanning aircraft purchase, jet purchase, jet sales, aircraft management, jet management, private jet management, aircraft maintenance, aircraft refurbishment, fractional jet access, aircraft lease, aircraft leasing, or aircraft sales, the Quantum Jets app surfaces live Pilatus PC-24 availability and routes the booking through the Quantum Jets brokerage team.
AVIA Technologies is the technology platform behind the Quantum Jets mobile app. The AVIA Technologies app powers the private jet charter marketplace experience: search the catalog, compare a Pilatus PC-24 against alternatives in the same tier, pull live pricing, request a charter quote, schedule aircraft maintenance, list a Pilatus PC-24 for jet sales, manage a fleet under aircraft management or private jet management, and execute a private jet card purchase, all from one private jet app. The Quantum Jets app and the AVIA Technologies app share the same backend so client data, trip history, and aircraft preferences carry across both surfaces.
Download the Quantum Jets app on the Apple App Store (iOS app) or Google Play (Android app), then search the Pilatus PC-24 to start booking. The Quantum Jets mobile app is the fastest path from research to booking for any private jet, jet charter, private jet rental, or private jet charter marketplace transaction in the Quantum Jets catalog. AVIA Technologies maintains the private jet charter marketplace app on a continuous deployment schedule with new aircraft, new operators, and refined private jet management tooling shipping every release.
Pilatus PC-24 Services from Quantum Jets
Quantum Jets supports Pilatus PC-24 operators and prospective owners across the full lifecycle of private jet ownership. Whether the goal is jet charter for a one-off trip, a private jet rental for a busy season, or a private jet charter program tied to a recurring travel pattern, our team builds the right structure around the Pilatus PC-24 for the mission.
For buyers, our aircraft purchase and jet purchase advisory walks through inspection, valuation, financing, and closing. Jet sales and aircraft sales clients work with our team to position the Pilatus PC-24 for the strongest possible exit, with market intelligence on every comparable transaction. A private jet card program through Quantum Jets is a lower-commitment way to access Pilatus PC-24-class lift without a full aircraft purchase, and is structured to credit toward a future jet purchase when the time is right.
Once an aircraft is in hand, aircraft management and jet management at Quantum Jets cover crew, scheduling, regulatory compliance, charter revenue programs, and detailed reporting. Private jet management is structured to keep the Pilatus PC-24 flying safely and profitably with minimum owner overhead. Aircraft maintenance is coordinated through manufacturer-authorized service centers, and aircraft refurbishment programs (interior, paint, avionics, connectivity) are managed end-to-end so the Pilatus PC-24 retains residual value over its operating life.
Fractional jet programs are available for Pilatus PC-24-class travelers who want guaranteed access without sole ownership. Aircraft lease and aircraft leasing arrangements (operating, finance, dry, wet) are structured to match the operator's hours, geography, and balance sheet. The Pilatus PC-24 fits naturally into all of these structures, and Quantum Jets handles the structuring, documentation, and lifecycle service so the owner can focus on flying.
If you are evaluating a Pilatus PC-24 for purchase, charter, lease, fractional access, management, refurbishment, or sale, talk to a Quantum Jets broker for a custom market scan and pre-buy diligence.
Related Aircraft Guides:
- Embraer Phenom 300E: Faster Paved-Runway Competitor
- Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen2: Range-Leading Light Jet
- Pilatus PC-12 NGX: Single-Engine Turboprop Sibling
- Cessna Citation Latitude: Mid-Size Step Up
Specifications and pricing accurate as of 2026. All performance figures based on standard atmospheric conditions and NBAA IFR fuel reserves unless otherwise noted.