PC 24 e1562167216659
The Goodwood Festival of Speed is an automobile festival in England that brings a mix of collector cars, racing cars, motorsport stars and everything automotive for a weekend. Â This year, the grass runway at Goodwood Aerodraome got a special visitor, a Pilatus PC-24 jet, which landed on the short grass runway that is only 2,621 feet long. Â This visit illustrates that the PC-24 is the world’s first business jet able to land on very short and unpaved runways. Â Video of its arrival is shown below in a clip from Pilatus.
The advantage of being able to land at short and unimproved runways means that the PC-24 can fly closer to many destinations and avoid the higher administrative costs at larger airports. Â The PC-24 has obtained initial certification from both EASA and the FAA for use on dirt and gravel runways. Â Further certifications, including grass and other surface types, are in the works and expected to be complete this year. Â The PC-24 is also certified for steep approaches, including London City and Lugano, two of the more difficult airports in the world.Â
The Bottom Line: Â The PC-24 appears to be the first “sport utility vehicle” jet than can handle off pavement and short-field situations, bringing business jet travel closer to remote destinations, and has a unique capability and market niche.
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