ThePilatus PC-6 Porter is a single-enginedSTOLutility aircraft designed byPilatus Aircraft of Switzerland. First flown in 1959, the PC-6 was produced at Pilatus Flugzeugwerke inStans, Switzerland. It has been built in bothpiston engine- andturboprop-powered versions, and was produced under licence for a time byFairchild Hiller in the United States.After 604 deliveries in 63 years, Pilatus ended production in 2022.[1]
On 4 May 1959, the first prototype, powered by a 254 kW (340shp)piston engine, made its maiden flight.[2] In early May 1961, the firstTurbo Porter, powered by aTurbomeca Astazou II turboprop engine, performed its initial flight.[3] In comparison to its earlier piston engine-powered incarnation, the Astazou II-equippedTurbo Porter had an increased gross capacity and top speed, as well as benefitting from the engine's automatic handling functions. These benefits came at the expense of the greater initial purchase cost and higherfuel consumption.[3] Both the piston and turbine-engine versions of the PC-6 became quickly known for their Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) capabilities, requiring only a very short takeoff run before being ready forrotation prior to taking off.[4]Its unit cost in 1962 was $55,000[5]
The initial turbine-powered models of the PC-6 were equipped with the Astazou II powerplant, however complaints on the reliability of this engine led to another early turboprop powerplant becoming available for the PC-6. This was theGarrett AiResearch TPE 331. Some operators such asAir America chose to retrofit their Astazou II-powered PC-6s with the TPE 331 engine.[6] In May 1966, the first PC-6 to be equipped with thePratt & Whitney Canada PT6A engine performed its maiden flight.[7]
To offset rising labour and manufacturing costs in Switzerland, Pilatus distributed manufacturing work on the PC-6 to other countries; in 1993,Czech Republic–basedLetov Kbely began manufacturing activity upon the type.[8] Its unit cost in 2010 was $1,900,000.[9] In 2013, Pilatus formed ajoint venture with Beijing Tian Xing Jian Yu Science Co., Ltd. to locally manufacture the PC-6 and the newerPilatus PC-12 inChongqing, China; initially this facility performed subassembly work on the fuselage, and later other elements such as the wings and moving surfaces, which were transported to Pilatus' final assembly facility inStans, Switzerland.[10][11] Global production of the PC-6 will eventually be transferred to the Chongqing facility. On 11 December 2014, the first Chinese-assembled PC-6 fuselage was completed.[12][13] In 2014, the majority of PC-6s delivered that year were to Chinese customers.[14] By April 2016, around 20 PC-6s were in operation in the Chinese market; the type has often been used to replace theAntonov An-2, being reportedly cheaper to operate.[15]
The Porter was also manufactured under license byFairchild Hiller in the United States. Roughly 100 of these licence-produced aircraft would be completed, being mainly purchased by civil operators within the US.[6][16] A number of Fairchild Hiller-built PC-6s were also procured for military operations during theVietnam War. It received the designationAU-23A Peacemaker for service with the U.S. Air Force. The Peacemaker was fitted with a side-firing 20mm XM-197 Gatling cannon, four wing pylons and a centre fuselage station for external ordnance. However, the AU-23A proved to be troublesome in service. All of them were returned to the continental U.S. and placed into storage after only a single year of operation. In 1979, a pair of UV-20s were assigned to the aviation detachment of theBerlin Brigade in Germany due to their suitability for operating within the heavily restricted airspace; they were fitted for carrying either cargo, up to eleven passengers, or threelitters with four medical attendants.[17]
After nearly 600 deliveries in six decades including about 90 Fairchild-Hiller built and 425 PT6-powered, but only 52 in the last ten years, Pilatus will close the orderbook from summer 2018 and will roll off the last one in early 2019 while parts production will continue for at least 20 years.[18]Due to pandemic delays, the last PC-6 Porter was instead delivered in December 2022 after 604 produced in 63 years.[1]
The Pilatus PC-6 Porter is aShort Takeoff and Landing (STOL)utility aircraft. The majority of aircraft are powered by a singlePratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprop engine, which drives a fully reversible, constant-speed, three-bladed HC-B3TN-3D (or an alternative four-bladed HC-D4N-3P)Hartzell aluminium propeller via a reductiongearbox.[19][20][21] Pilatus claims that it possesses unique STOL capabilities, capable of landing in places only otherwise accessible byrotorcraft.[20] It is fully capable of being operated from unprepared rough airstrips, in remote areas, hot climates and at high altitudes in all-weather conditions. In particular, the undercarriage employed provides for high wing and propeller clearances, making the PC-6 less susceptible to damage than conventional nosewheel-type undercarriages.[20] For further landing versatility, various types oflanding gear may be optionally installed allowing it to operate from different types of terrain; options include floats for water landings and skis for landing on snow.[19]
Early models of the PC-6 were equipped with a full instrument panel as standard, and were reportedly easy for unfamiliar pilots to intuit.[22] Later-manufactured PC-6s are equipped with aGarmin G950glass cockpit in place of analog instrumentation; the majority of earlier-produced PC-6s can also be retrofitted with a glass cockpit.[9][23] In addition to its flight functionality, the G950 system acts as a remote maintenance unit andelectronic flight bag all in one. Two large 10.4-inchliquid-crystal displays (LCDs) are present, functioning as the Primary Flight Display for all key flight information and the Multi-function Display for system/mission management. Fully independent secondary flight instrumentation is also provided to provide backup altitude, attitude, and airspeed information in the event of complete electrical failure.[9][20] The cockpit has been designed for single pilot operations; additionalflight controls for a co-pilot can be optionally fitted.[19] Other optional features include anautopilot (capable of operating within all phases of flight),traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS),terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS),weather radar,satellite phone,LIDAR,forward-looking infrared (FLIR) andlightning detector; in addition, onboard electrical and avionics equipment are readily modifiable to conform with customer requirements.[9][20]
Analog cockpit instrumentation of a PC-6, 2007
The airframe is of a rugged and low-maintenance construction; featuring high levels of accessibility, interchangeability, and favourable manning levels.[20] The wings, fuselage, and empennage are manufactured using conventional semi-monocoque construction techniques, the primary structure being composed of aluminium;[20] the central structure retains critical strength despite the cutout areas for the sliding doors of the main cabin.[22]Corrosion resistance is achieved via a combination ofplating and apolyurethane-basedenamel paint.[20] The simple nature of the structure allows for ease of repair in the field.[16] Features such as low-pressure tyres, twin-caliperdisc brakes, and a highly energy-absorbent undercarriage enable the aircraft to be capable of operating from rough or otherwise challenging terrain.[24]
For role flexibility, individual aircraft can be easily converted between various mission types, such as transport,paradrop,aerial photography,surveillance,air medical services andsearch and rescue duties.[19][20] A maximum of ten passengers, or a 2,200 lb payload, may be carried within the aircraft's main cabin area within the rear section of the fuselage; the standard passenger seats are designed to allow for rapid removal and may be stowed within an optional separate externally-accessed seat stowage compartment behind the main cabin.[20][25] The main cabin area is furnished withsoundproofing measures, ventilation, and heating as standard.[22] A maximum of three fuel tanks can also be carried in the main cabin, accordingly reducing payload capacity, to increase the aircraft's flight endurance.[20] In addition to the large sliding doors at either side of the main cabin, separate hinged doors are present on either side of the cockpit; an optional pilot-controlledtrapdoor, to accommodate supply drops or surveillance payloads, may also be installed in the center of the cabin floor without any design changes required.[6][19][26] Additional equipment include afirefighting system,aerial application system, underwing tanks,sand filters, propellerde-icing system,mudguard, tailwheel debris guard, oxygen system, and additional power distribution system.[16][20][27]
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The PC-6 is noted for itsShort Takeoff and Landing (STOL) performance on almost any type of terrain - it can take off within a distance of 640 feet (195 m) and land within a distance of 427 feet (130 m) while carrying a payload of 2,646 lbs (1,200 kg). Thanks to its STOL performance, the PC-6 holds the world record for highest landing by afixed-wing aircraft, at 18,865 feet (5,750 m), on theDhaulagiri glacier inNepal.[28]
Due to the type's favourable STOL characteristics, described by the magazineFlying as being "one of the most helicopter-like airplanes in terms of takeoff performance", Pilatus has deliberately marketed the PC-6 towards helicopter operators at times, feeling the type to be complementary to their typical mode of operation.[16] According to Pilatus, the PC-6 can provide very similar surveillance capabilities to a rotorcraft at a significantly lower cost to operate and procure.[8]
Peruvian Air Force PC-6, 2014
During its early service, the PC-6 Porter was noted for its high level of comfort and usability against competing aircraft.[29] The type has also proven to have a long service life; by 1993, roughly 440 of the 500 PC-6 Turbo Porters completed by that point were still in service.[16]
During the 1960s and 1970s, theCentral Intelligence Agency-controlled airlineAir America operated up to 23 PC-6s at a time. Many of these were operated in the South-East Asia region, includingSouth Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The type was used for various missions, including paradropping supplies to troops, passenger transport,psychological warfare, reconnaissance, prisoner conveyance,airborne radio relay, and other intelligence operations.[6]
Since 1976, theAustrian Air Force has operated a fleet of 12 PC-6 Porters as the mainstay of their fixed-wing transport fleet; the type has been used in various support roles, including transport, search and rescue, firefighting, observation, target-towing and paradropping.[30][31]
According toFlying magazine, around 40 per cent of all PC-6s in use in Europe during the early 1990s were being used byskydivers.[7]
In 1996, during theFirst Congo War,Zaire's presidentMobutu Sese Seko hired Western European mercenaries (mostly French and Belgian) in an attempt to stop a Rwandan-led offensive. This contingent (part of theWhite Legion) was supported by aBAE Andover and a Pilatus PC-6B Turbo Porter transports and fourMil Mi-24 attack helicopters.[32] The Porter was lost after colliding with a 3 metres (10 ft) tall anthill which damaged the plane's landing gear, causing it to crash-land just a few days after arriving in Zaire.[33][34]
A PC-6/350 PorterPC-6/B2-H4 Turbo-Porter. YL-CCQ is currently (2017) used by Skydive Estonia as a jump plane.A Fairchild PorterPilatus PC-6/ B2-H4 in flightUV-20
PC-6/340 Porter
Initial production version, powered by a 254-kW (340-hp)Lycoming GSO-480-B1A6 flat-six piston engine. Max takeoff weight 1,960 kg (4,320 lb).[2]
PC-6/340-H1 Porter
As PC-6/340, but with modified landing gear and increased weight (2,016 kg (4,444 lb)).[2]
PC-6/340-H2 Porter
As for H-2, but with maximum takeoff weight increased to 2,200 kg (4,850 lb).[2]
Armed gunship, counter-insurgency, utility transport version for theU.S. Air Force. It was used during the Vietnam War in the early 1970s. 15 were built under licence in the USA by Fairchild Industries.[35] All aircraft were sold toRoyal Thai Air Force.
OV-12
Designation for U.S. version, cancelled 1979.
UV-20A Chiricahua
STOL utility transport version for theU.S. Army. Two UV-20As were based inWest Berlin from late 1979 until 1991.
18 November 1981, a Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter) ofRoyal Nepal Airlines crashed after it lost height during take-off fromBiratnagar Airport inNepal. The fatalities included 1 crew and 9 passengers with no survivors.[58]
12 November 1991 - An Australian Army Turbo Porter A14-683[59] crashed after it stalled on take off, killing two soldiers. The inquiry identified pilot error as the primary cause. The aircraft was written off.
26 December 1999 - A Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4 Turbo porter registration HB-FKJ[60] crashed nearTurin. Because of heavy turbulence, a wing broke away from the fuselage causing the plane to crash; the two people aboard died.
15 March 2002 - AUnited States Army Pilatus UV-20A collided in midair with a Cessna 182C during parachute jumping operations atMarana Regional Airport, nearMarana, Arizona. While the Cessna was able to land, the Pilatus entered an uncontrolled dive and crashed, killing the pilot and destroying the aircraft.[61]
30 May 2008 - A Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4 Turbo porter registration EC-JXH[62] crashed nearLillo, Spain. After going into a stall, the plane's left wing broke causing the door to open, allowing nine skydivers to jump out and survive. One skydiver and the pilot died in the crash.
25 April 2012 - A Pilatus PC-6 (PK VVQ), operated by Susi Air, crashed in Kalimantan Timur, Melak district killing the pilot and passenger(s) which was engaged in an Aerial Survey of the area. The aircraft was reported missing at 1710 LT on 25 April with the wreckage found on 26 April, thus confirming the condition of the occupants/aircraft.[63][64]
19 October 2013 - A Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4 Turbo Porter registration OO-NAC[65] carrying ten skydivers (instructors and students) and a pilot, lost height and impacted terrain atFernelmont some ten minutes after takeoff from nearbyNamur-Suarlée Airport (EBNM), Belgium. All aboard died. The aircraft (S/N 710) was built in 1969 and had been rebuilt in 2002 by Pilatus Flugzeugwerke following a takeoff accident atMoorsele (EBMO) on 12 March 2000.[66]
19 June 2016 - A Pilatus PC-6 disintegrated in midair while carrying seven skydivers for practice in Beja, Portugal. All skydivers survived, although two were severely wounded. The pilot was the single fatality.[67]
30 August 2022 - A South African Police Service PC-6 crashed shortly after taking off fromRand Airport, South Africa. All five passengers died during the accident. The pilot was the sole survivor and was severely injured.[68][69]
8 March 2024 - A Pilatus PC-6 (PK-SNE), operated by Smart Aviation, crashed into a forest near Binuang, Nunukan, North Kalimantan, after taking off from Juwata Tarakan International Airport. During the flight, the plane had two people: the pilot and the engineer. The pilot was the sole survivor.[54][70]
Hoyle, Craig. "World Air Forces Directory".Flight International, Vol. 180, No. 5517, 8–14 December 2015. pp. 26–53.ISSN0015-3710.Archived version
Genève, Alain (February 1990). "50 ans d'aviation au pied Mont Pilatus (3): Les Pilatus PC-6 PC-6 "Porter" et "Turbo Porter (1)" [50 Years at the Foot of Mount Pilatus (3): The Pilatus PC-6 Porter and Turbo Porter, Part I].Le Fana de l'Aviation (in French) (243):22–28.ISSN0757-4169.
Genève, Alain (March 1990). "50 ans d'aviation au pied Mont Pilatus (3): Les Pilatus PC-6 PC-6 "Porter" et "Turbo Porter (1)" [50 Years at the Foot of Mount Pilatus (3): The Pilatus PC-6 Porter and Turbo Porter, Part 2].Le Fana de l'Aviation (in French) (244):18–24.ISSN0757-4169.
Isserman, Maurice., Stewart Angas Weaver and Dee Molenaar.Fallen Giants: A History of Himalayan Mountaineering from the Age of Empire to the Age of Extremes. Yale University Press, 2008.ISBN0-3001-4266-8.
Johnson, E.R. and Lloyd S. Jones.American Military Transport Aircraft Since 1925. McFarland, 2013.ISBN1-4766-0155-0.
Lambert, Mark.Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1993–1994. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Data Division, 1993.ISBN0-7106-1066-1.
Moll, Nigel."Ugly is Only Skin-Deep."Flying, Vol. 120, No. 2. February 1993. ISSN 0015-4806. pp. 62–68.
Taylor, John W. R.Janes's All The World's Aircraft 1965–66. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, 1965.
Taylor, Michael J. H.Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000 Edition. London: Brassey's, 1999.ISBN1-85753-245-7.
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Documentary featuring the PC-6
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