This was the big step!

I concur.


Long time BT folks will remember Jason Crandall, PC12 owner. He would write that the jet would slow him down due to extra training and other stuff.

Then he bought a CJ3. I bet he won't go back to a PC12 now.


Nope, I wouldn't either.

I fly a Citation V. I can't afford a PC12. The cost of sunk capital for the more expensive PC12 would exceed my total yearly operating budget.

I can't afford a CJ3, either.

Now if someone gifted me a PC24...

Mike C.

CINCINNATI – February 27, 2025 – GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE) announced today that the Catalyst turboprop engine has been certified by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAR (Federal Aviation Regulation) Part 33 certification involved over 23 engines and more than 190 component tests.

Catalyst is the first, new centerline, clean-sheet advanced turboprop of the 21st century and the first turboprop engine to be certified to the latest standards, which include more than 20 significant new requirements.

Riccardo Procacci, President and CEO, Propulsion and Additive Technologies at GE Aerospace said, “The certification of the Catalyst engine is a significant milestone for our company and a proud moment for all our team members who have dedicated their efforts to the design, development, and testing of this brand-new European turboprop engine. We are now fully committed to supporting the production ramp-up of the engine towards the entry into service in support of our customers.”

During the certification process, the test engines completed more than 8,000 hours of operation demonstrating and meeting its key performance targets.

Paul Corkery, Catalyst General Manager at Avio Aero said, “Catalyst has been through a rigorous certification and testing process. We are pleased with the performance of the engine throughout its ground and flight test campaigns, and we remain fully focused on supporting Textron Aviation as they complete the certification process and prepare for entry into service of the Beechcraft Denali.”

The engine will bring a radical change to this segment, thanks to its industry-best 16:1 overall pressure ratio that enables up to 18% better fuel consumption and up to 10% higher cruise power, compared to competitors in the same engine class. Catalyst introduces two stages of variable stator vanes, cooled high-pressure turbine blades, and features components made by using additive manufacturing.

https://www.geaerospace.com/news/press- ... tification

That's a complicated engine.

What happens if the stator actuators don't work?

Let's see how it holds up to actual service in the field.

Mike C.

Not that it's changes much of your points, but I think it's a CJ4.

But yea, he's flying high and fast now man! No going back. PC-12 is slow for the money, god awful slow, especially how he used it (Atlanta to Aspen! To the west coast!).

CJ4 is only auto-throttles and an inertial navigation system away from a PC-24. They both have nice "big jet" features (single point fueling, hot wings, electric windshield heat, externally serviced lav).

I guess they both miss an APU, and the PC-24 with its inertial and auto-throttles has to be the high water mark in the single pilot jet category ...although as far I can tell there aren't any actually operated that way so it kind of competes in the mid-size class. Would be interesting to learn of single pilot operators. Regardless, for maintenance and repositioning there is value in the single pilot capability.

My bad, thought it was a CJ3.


PC24 has some ground mode for one engine to run like an APU. They call it "Quiet Power Mode", QPM. It was designed to replace the APU on the ground.

I can kind of do the same thing in my plane, run the right engine at idle and it has features to pump more air into the cabin.

APUs are kind of a pain from a maintenance perspective, and added weight.

Mike C.

That's a complicated engine.

What happens if the stator actuators don't work?

Let's see how it holds up to actual service in the field.

Mike C.

I agree, mostly. My caveat would be I think it’ll do fine after the first couple years of teething pains and minor refinements.

Well, Boeing is having some issues with GE right now, the GE9X. Halted 777X flight tests.

New engines mean new problems.

Mike C.

You guys are missing my point. Jet values will plummet if pc12s do the same. It is a higher demand airframe. CJ3s used to be cheaper than pc12s. They are now significantly more. That will change.

The jet market has been stupid for a few years. All things come back to earth.

I don’t think, btw, you can compare jets and pc12. Different missions.

Of all the planes out there, seems like the PC12 crowd is rather rabid about the plane. Does nothing great, but does everything pretty well. Don’t see as much passion from many jet owners, that can bounce up and down the jet line, with little brand loyalty. Pretty sure that there are jet drivers that move to PC12’s for the expanded mission. Heck I can think of some Meridian/M600 drivers on PMOPA that came from the jet world for one reason or another. Usually economy.

I think the reality is that people tend to do a lot more local travel than long distance. The rich guy who lives in Palo Alto wants to go to his Tahoe house on the weekend, or his house in Malibu.. he doesn't need to go to Chicago and he wants to bring his family and friends and all their gear. So for the mission, the pc12 does the job better than anything at far less operating cost. and he gets picked up at KPAO (2400 ft) and not SJC or SFO. The pc12 is the Swiss army knife of aviation, it does everything really well, at a cost/capability ratio that cannot be beat.

Announcement coming tomorrow

https://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/en/direct

Is it the PC12NGX with G3000 or something else?

Whatever it is… this guy seems terrified!