Pilatus certifies Safety Autoland system for PC-12 PRO turboprop
The Swiss aircraft maker has won regulatory approval for a system that can autonomously land the single-engine turboprop if a pilot becomes incapacitated.
Pilatus Aircraft announced on September 24 that the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and the Federal Aviation Administration have certified the Safety Autoland system for its new PC-12 PRO single-engine turboprop. The system represents a significant addition to an aircraft that the company claims already has a strong safety record in its class.
The system can be activated manually via a button or triggered automatically when pilot inactivity is detected. Once engaged, it informs all occupants of the situation and begins gathering data on weather, aircraft status and navigation information.
Airport selection and flight planning
Using the collected data, Safety Autoland selects the most suitable airport by evaluating runway length, wind conditions, weather and remaining fuel. The system then computes a flight path that avoids obstacles and terrain hazards. Throughout the autonomous descent, it manages all systems needed for landing—flaps, landing gear, de-icing and lighting—and prepares the aircraft for final approach.
The system also handles air traffic control communications, making automatic radio calls on the appropriate frequencies to keep ATC and ground personnel informed of the emergency. This full automation extends through to touchdown and engine shutdown, removing the need for pilot intervention once activated.
Certification and testing
During certification flights, the system underwent extensive testing to demonstrate fully automated landing in real-world conditions, from initial activation through to safe landing and automated engine shutdown.
The PC-12 PRO platform
The new PC-12 PRO reimagines the established single-engine turboprop with a cockpit centred on the Garmin G3000 PRIME Integrated Flight Deck. Pilatus describes the aircraft as the most technologically advanced and best-performing turboprop in its category.
Power comes from the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 engine, the latest version of what the manufacturer calls the most reliable aircraft engine ever built. The engine family has accumulated more than 400 million flight hours across over 60,000 units in operation worldwide, according to Pilatus.
Environmental performance
The PC-12 PRO produces fewer CO₂ emissions than comparable twin-engine turboprops and is capable of operating on sustainable aviation fuel blends without any reduction in performance, the company said.
This article was compiled by the CityLifeBytes editorial desk from the official announcements and reporting listed under Sources.
