RFDS Pilatus PC24

[Stationair8]

The first RFDS PC24 is due in Perth this weekend.

[Alice Kiwican]

Be good to see it for real!👍

[faction]

The first one will arrive in Perth on December 3rd after touching down in Broome the day before.

[machtuk]

Was just speaking to a PC 24 driver today actually, it's rather slow, thought it might have been faster. Wil be interesting how it operates with the distances Australia has between major cities:-)

[Capt Fathom]

Was just speaking to a PC 24 driver today actually, it's rather slow, thought it might have been faster. Wil be interesting how it operates with the distances Australia has between major cities:-)

Are you comparing it with a PC12 or a Learjet?

[DIBO]

Compared to other a/c able to operate out of 2,930 feet (893 m) unpaved surfaces, (max) cruising at 440 ktas is pretty fast

[machtuk]

400kts typical, anything above that uses too much gas he says. The short RWY ability comes at a cost. High DA Alt's, terrain, surface type, gross weight etc extend considerably the T/Off dist. Short range when considering the size of Oz. Will be keen to find out real world figures not just the propaganda we read about, salesmen stuff:-)

[harrryw]

Originally Posted by machtuk

400kts typical, anything above that uses too much gas he says. The short RWY ability comes at a cost. High DA Alt's, terrain, surface type, gross weight etc extend considerably the T/Off dist. Short range when considering the size of Oz. Will be keen to find out real world figures not just the propaganda we read about, salesmen stuff:-)

They give the range at 2000nm at FL450 so more like 700nm each way maximum unless refueling is available.In WA it could be fairly limiting...They really do not want to have to stop on the way. Also it is often better to restrict altitude to keep the cabin altitude low so that could be a major problem though they do say Cabin AZlt of sea level at FL230. It is a beautiful looking plane though.

[AbsoluteFokker]

So which other jet do you see doing dirt/gravel in Australia? Seems pretty good to me.

[VH-MLE]

Personally, and while it might be approved for it, I cannot see it doing unsealed airstrips at all. It'd be more typically used for your "long haul" type flights i.e. Broome, Kununurra to Perth (as well as Cocos, Christmas Island - weather permitting). I think there'll still be plenty of demand for the PC12's for the foreseeable future...

[machtuk]

Originally Posted by VH-MLE

Personally, and while it might be approved for it, I cannot see it doing unsealed airstrips at all. It'd be more typically used for your "long haul" type flights i.e. Broome, Kununurra to Perth (as well as Cocos, Christmas Island - weather permitting). I think there'll still be plenty of demand for the PC12's for the foreseeable future...

Not too many remote dirt strips kept good enuf for this type of jet operation, a few but the list would be short. As mentioned SL cabin needed at times, a strong H/W component all means at times it's a very limited machine. Advantages would be the cargo door & it's ability under limiting certain conditions are it's main advantages.
Looked at applying for the gig when they where looking for drivers but there would be a few toes trodden on to get there, I don't do that.
The PC12 (B200 better) is the backbone of the Air Ambo Ops, the jet being added was a political thing to some degree, a must have at all costs !

[601]

I cannot see it doing unsealed airstrips at all.

Back in the 80s I operated C550s for 10 years into gravel, grass, dirt all over Qld and NSW and at an AFM reduced weight of 5700kg, We watched our fuel and pax loads and did a lot of re-calculating in flight.
Had a lot of problems with "operational control" and getting a signature on the Flight Plan at some briefing offices was difficult.
"what? you want to take a jet outside controlled airspace and into a grass strip, you can't do that" was a not an uncommon comment when flight planning.
Even landing at Archerfield for inspections was a problem initially.

I can see it being used
But having operated the C550, B200 and B350, I would have thought that the King Airs would still be more suitable.

[Capt Fathom]

Seems to be some negativity here by some posters!
The RFDS has been operating aircraft for a long time. Have they been seduced by the Pilatus marketing or are people just bagging the new type.
Only time will tell how successful it is.

[lucille]

That cargo door is a winner! Trumps every other negative - your back will thank you. Try squeezing a 200kg patient on a Lifeport stretcher through a L35/36, DA200 or C550 door - that will be your Eureka moment.

Its all too easy to find fault with range, speed, gravel strip capability and SL cabin limitations. There are heaps of aircraft which can do somethings better but none have that door.

[VH-MLE]

Personally, I'm not bagging it at all, I just don't see it being required for unsealed runway ops, but definitely see a (long overdue) need for it from larger regional locations which have more suitable aerodromes. Also, I'm pleased to see the organisation moving on from the current RFDS "jet operator" who some might say has milked the RFDS very well...

[machtuk]

Originally Posted by Capt Fathom

Seems to be some negativity here by some posters!
The RFDS has been operating aircraft for a long time. Have they been seduced by the Pilatus marketing or are people just bagging the new type.
Only time will tell how successful it is.

They are called opinions!!

[pithblot]

ATPL required?

Does the pilot need an ATPL?

[mattyj]

The pilot does have an ATPL

[triadic]

The media pictures to date don't seem to show a cargo door, which is mentioned above... has a cargo door being fitted?

[mattyj]

This media picture does..