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Pilatus Aircraft will cease production of Pilatus Porter PC-6 multi-role aircraft in 2019 as it seeks to focus on PC-24 Super Versatile Jet production.
The decision to end production is based on the age of the PC-6 and other certification parameters.
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Since 1959, the company produced a total of 500 PC-6s in Stans, Switzerland, while nearly 100 were produced in the US under licence.
Pilatus Board of Directors chairman Oscar J Schwenk said: “The time has now come to take a dispassionate look at the facts and admit that every product has a life cycle, which must come to an end sooner or later. That moment has arrived for the PC-6.
“With an eye on the future, however, we now look forward to the imminent market launch of the PC-24 Super Versatile Jet, which embodies and carries forward all the original values of the PC-6.”
Featuring short take-off and landing capabilities, the PC-6 has flown several cargo and passenger trips at maximum useful load to an altitude of 5,700m above sea level, according to the company.
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By GlobalDataThe orders for Porter PC-6 will be accepted until mid-2018 and existing customers will receive support and spare parts for the PC-6 for at least 20 years.
Pilatus plans to assign employees, who were previously engaged in the PC-6 production, to assembly work on the company’s other aircraft types.
The series production of PC-24 will soon begin in Stans.
In July, the company attached the fuselage and wings of the first series-built PC-24.
Image: PC-6 has flown several cargo and passenger trips. Photo: courtesy of Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.
