PC-6 - Pilatus Porter

The PC-6 has become a legendary aircraft, known around the world simply as “The Pilatus Porter”. Its unique Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) capabilities, reliability and versatility in all weather and terrain conditions have established the reputation of the PC-6 as a rugged utility aircraft. The Pilatus Porter PC-6 is fully capable of operating from different types of unprepared, rough and short airstrips, in remote areas, at high altitudes and in all climates. A simple but solid construction, proven systems and features, combined with precision Swiss workmanship result in the highest reliability and lowest maintenance possible. No matter whether high and hot or low and snow - anywhere, anytime - operators can rely on the Porter as a high quality, life-long investment.

The Porter’s unmatched STOL performance is one of its key capabilities, providing a great deal of flexibility and allowing operation of the pc-6 where access for other aircraft is impossible. Outstanding capability in rough conditions is achieved through low-pressure tires, twin-calliper disc brakes and an undercarriage with high bump absorption. With its high wing and propeller ground clearance, the PC-6 is much less exposed to damage from rough airstrips than aircraft with a conventional nosewheel-type undercarriage. The porter is fully capable of operating from different types of unprepared, rough and short airstrips, in remote areas, at high altitudes and in all climates.

Years of operating experience, combined with selected components with a proven record continue to give the Turbo Porter an excellent reputation for reliability. The ease and simplicity with which the pc-6 can be maintained is a fundamental feature, as it offers excellent accessibility, rugged components, interchange ability, basic skill and maintenance manning levels and minimum downtime. A simple but solid construction, proven systems and features, combined with precision workmanship result in the highest reliability and lowest maintenance possible.

One of the reasons for the great popularity of the PC-6 is its versatility. With minimum effort, the porter can be converted for various missions: having just operated as a para porter dropping parachutists, the aircraft can be airborne again in a matter of minutes, being used as a platform for high quality aerial photography or as a breathtaking sightseeing flight with a glacier landing.

Whether as a workhorse, a platform for aerial surveillance, air ambulance or as a parachuting or passenger aircraft, the Porter delivers the versatility to perform any role that comes its way. The Turbo Porter is designed to operate under the most unfavorable conditions. Specially-designed options easily turn the PC-6 into a desert horse for operation on sandy, stony, soft or muddy ground. The ability to operate from different types of unprepared airstrips and in the harshest environments has proven the PC-6 to be the real “workhorse” of the air. The Porter can be equipped with skis allowing operation on snowfields/glaciers. The skis can be lowered and raised in flight enabling the aircraft to land on both snow and runways.

With a useable volume of more than three cubic meters and a payload of more than 1,000 kg, the name “Porter” means what it says as the PC-6 is made for the job. Specially-made fixtures allow cargo to be fixed very easily and safely. Thanks to its outstanding STOL capabilities, the PC-6 can operate in areas normally only reachable by helicopters. The Porter combines: range and economy of a fixed-wing aircraft; capability to penetrate remote areas otherwise only accessible by helicopter; quiet qualities ideally suited to operation from hospital airstrips; and large sliding doors which allow easy loading and unloading of stretchers.

Various issues such as Search And Rescue (SAR), border patrol, smuggling, the trade of goods, geographic analysis and intelligence call for aerial surveillance. With its outstanding flight characte ristics and the standard floor hatch, the PC-6 Porter is an extremely efficient and cost-effective platform to carry out a wide range of surveillance missions. Various systems such as FLIR, LIDAR, digital cameras and other optical platforms can be integrated into the aircraft without design changes at the customer’s wish. Operated on both seaplane and amphibian floats in several countries, the Turbo Porter has proved to be a successful seaplane. The floats modification is covered by a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), held by Wipaire, Inc. Floats Type: Wipline 6100.

The PC-6 is one of the world's favorite aircraft for para dropping. From an economical, organizational and safety point of view, the operation of the Porter with 10 parachutists has proven to be an ideal solution. The number of companies and drop zones operating the PC-6 is still growing. The Porter is an extremely stable platform, making it ideal for SAR, aerial photography, survey and laser photogrammetric and scanning operations. The Porter’s versatility extends from low-level flight in narrow valleys to a service ceiling of 25,000 ft. With the new 250 Amp power distribution system and the two separately controlled mission busses, a camera and/or a search or scanning sensor head can be operated without any in-flight effects on the avionics and instrument systems. An oil collector system and exhaust deflector can be installed for special mission operations to protect the camera lens and all sensors heads.

Known throughout the world, Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PT6A is the most reliable and thoroughly proven power plant in its class. The PC-6’s PT6A-27 is an advanced design of this engine family, with a thermodynamic power rating of 650 shaft horsepower (SHP), flat-rated to 550 SHP at take-off. The propeller is a Hartzell HC-B3TN-3D three-bladed (and on STC basis, a Hartzell HC-D4N-3P four-bladed), fully reversing and feathering constant-speed type, driven by the free turbine through a reduction gearbox. The propeller is equipped with an optional anti-icing facility.

The brand new PC-6 glass cockpit features state-of-the-art Garmin G950 cockpit avionics. It sets unprecedented standards in simplicity, reliability and technology for pilots in all phases of the flight. The cockpit comprises a complete and ready-to-fly system, inspired by a low workload philosophy. Two large LCD screens provide clear visual input, allowing pilots to operate with ease and dispatch in a wealth of situations.

The design uses conventional semi-monocoque construction techniques (frames, ribs, stringers, reinforcements and skin panels) for the wing, fuselage and empennage. The primary structure is built of 2024 aluminium alloy sheet and extrusion. These features combined with precision workmanship provide a high degree of interchange ability as well as the easy replacement of parts. All metal components are protected against corrosion by priming, painting, and plating/enameling before a tough polyurethane-based external paint is applied, protecting the Turbo Porter in all types of climate and conditions. The fuselage is equipped with a hinged door on both sides of the cockpit and a large sliding door on both sides of the cabin. Optional trapdoors can be fitted in the centre of the cabin floor. Each trapdoor can take a load of 150 kg (330 lb). The trapdoors can be opened and closed in flight by the pilot.

The Pilatus PC-6 has earned its reputation as a workhorse with a cabin volume of more than three cubic meters and a total payload of over 1,000 kg. A large sliding door on both sides of the aircraft allows easy access to the cabin for loading and removal of freight. When extra space is needed, the passenger seats can be quickly removed and stowed in the additional seat stowage area behind the cabin. The standard floor hatch enables a platform for a wide range of surveillance functions without the necessity of any design changes.

The Pilatus Turbo Porter is a flying system which is convertible to perform a wide range of missions. The design of the aircraft permits rapid conversion from one application to another. Although rugged and utilitarian, the PC-6 Turbo Porter is a high quality, life-long investment. With its high wing and propeller ground clearance, and its undercarriage with high bump absorption, the Turbo Porter is much less susceptible to damage from rough airstrips than aircraft with a conventional nosewheel-type undercarriage.