Pilatus PC-6 B2-H4 Turbo-Porter

The Pilatus PC-6 B2-H4 ‘Turbo Porter’ is a high-wing utility aircraft with great Short Take-Off and Landing capabilities. It is powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 turboprop engine and is used for many applications and roles all over the world and on nearly any type of terrain. Most commonly it is used for transportation in the mountains and for dropping parachutes. It can take off on a runway that is only 200 meters long.

History

The prototype of the PC-6 had its first flight in 1959. The D-FELI (S/N 845) was built in 1987. For the first years, it has been operated in Japan and France. After a complete overhaul at RUAG, it was delivered to the southside base in Schlierstadt/Germany.

The first PC6/A Turbo Porter flew in May 1961, powered by a 390kW (523shp) Turboméca Astazou II turboprop. The majority of PC6s are PC6/Bs, powered by the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A. PC6/Cs were powered by a 310kW (575shp) AiResearch TPE331 and were first delivered in 1965.

Smaller numbers of piston-powered Porters have been built with Lycoming GSO480s and IGO540s in parallel with Turbo Porters.

The PC6/B was first delivered in 1964 and remains in production today. Initial models were powered by the 410kW (550shp) PT6A6 or 20. The PC6/B2H2 was first flown in 1970 and introduced the PT6A27 and an increased maximum takeoff weight.

Current Porter production is of the PC6/B2H4 with a further increase in max takeoff weight, larger dorsal fin fillet, revised wingtips, strengthened airframe structure, and improved undercarriage.

Aircraft Data

RocketRoute added advanced performance data for the following profiles:

• Cruise (Max speed cruise, Long range cruise, Normal cruise, cruise 30.0 psi Cruise, cruise 35.0 psi Cruise, cruise 40.0 psi Cruise, cruise 47.3 psi Cruise)
• Climb (High-speed climb, Normal climb, climb Normal Climb)
• Descent (descent Normal Descent)
• Holding (Anti-Ice On, Anti-Ice Off, holding Holding)
• Mass & Balance