We have a prospective client who will be purchasing a PC-12NG, I'm joking about not telling Jason of course.

I always say "You don't know, what you don't know" and while I know a lot about PC-12's and I know a lot about acquiring airplanes... I will never stop listening or learning.

It is also my hope that a meaningful discussion about purchasing a PC-12NG will live on the web indefinitely and be found by folks doing research on the internet, some of those folks will join our BT Brotherhood and become fellow mentors and friends. Some may avoid making a mistake because of what is shared here. We can all learn something, even me... so lets hear it!

What advice do you have that pertains to buying a PC-12NG?

One question I have is where to go for Prebuy? I'm familiar with Epps and Mather but haven't used Cutter. (I learned not to go to Greenpoint, but they are no longer a service center)

Big question is, do you really need the NG? The most capable Pilatus is the -47.
They are lighter and you're not married to Honeywell for avionics. NG panel is great, but depending on the mission, it can also be a pain.

My advice would be to hire a PC12 expert!

I agree, but in this case they are looking at an airplane that is a couple of years old.

Certainly not asking because we don't know the airplane. In fact of all of the aircraft we acquire the Pilatus is the easiest in every way. The airplane itself is simple and straightforward. When compared to a King Air it is a walk in the park.

The reality is that anyone with some time on their hands can become an expert on any airplane. Being an expert on the market for a certain airplane... that's a bit more challenging. We have two full time researchers, over $2000 a month in subscription services, as well as relationships with brokers and dealers going back almost twenty years. We spend a tremendous amount of time studying aircraft values and actual sold comparable information.

One of the reasons we do not sell or broker airplanes is the removal of the "competition" aspect of our business. Brokers, dealers and manufacturers all share information with us freely because for all intents and purposes we are (an extension of) their customer. They know they can confidentially share information about the market, about off market airplanes that they may have coming, as well as negatives about a specific aircraft, without feeling like they are assisting a competitor.

I was on the dealer / listing agent side for 13 years and never had the relationships that we have today... I was after all the competition.

I agree, but in this case they are looking at an airplane that is a couple of years old.

I struggle with the APEX... but apparently they have no intentions to switch to Garmin. These guys will be part 91 and more like 200 hours a year...

You guys really flew 2000 hours a year? That is amazing!!!!

Apex is great. what do you struggle with?

Apex is great. what do you struggle with?

The apex was annoying to learn for the first few hours in the airplane, because there’s multiple ways to do anything and everything. Once you play around, it’s so easy. I now have about 450 hours in the NG, and I love it. The apex is so capable.

As far as the NG, once you go five blade, it’s hard to go back to the four blades. The performance increase is noticeable, and it’s so much smoother. I love the 5 blades!

Just as a single datapoint.... I think I heard an operator had paid about $30K for a single video card replacement in the Apex. I hasten to add I can't confirm that. Pretty scary if true even when measured in airplane bux.

Every owner is on HAPP MAPP. So..... the only way your story is true is if an owner was foolish enough not to keep his warranty going.

Saw at an NBAA show somebody puts Garmin in older PC-12's. Looked real nice. Maybe they are up to NXi's now?

Saw at an NBAA show somebody puts Garmin in older PC-12's. Looked real nice. Maybe they are up to NXi's now?

The differences between the Legacy models and the NG's are much more than the Honeywell Apex.