The Pilatus PC-12 NGX is the most popular single-engine turboprop in the world — a 9-seater that operates from short, unpaved strips and modern international airports with equal grace. Approach handling is closer to a small bizjet than to a King Air; the turbine spools predictably and the wing has plenty of lift at Vref.
Landing technique
- Approach at 90 KIAS, slowing to 85 over the threshold (POH for max landing weight).
- Flare at 20 ft AGL. The PC-12 wants to settle when you reduce torque; don't over-flare.
- Reverse pitch (beta range) available after landing — use it on short or contaminated runways.
- Land mains first; the trailing-link main gear absorbs shock well, but the nose wheel is heavier than a piston single's.
- Crosswind: wing-down + opposite rudder. The high wing gives generous clearance even at significant bank.
Common mistakes
- Not using beta thrust to slow the rollout — wastes the aircraft's biggest stopping asset.
- Carrying too much torque into the flare and floating — the turbine doesn't bleed off as fast as you expect.
- Treating it like a King Air — the PC-12's single-engine flare feel is different.
Aircraft data
- Manufacturer
- Pilatus
- Model
- PC-12
- Variant
- NGX
- FAA approach category
- B
- MTOW
- 4740 kg (10450 lbs)
- Vref reference
- 95 kt
- MSFS source
- Default Std
- FLARE matches
- Pilatus PC-12 NGX · PC-12 NGX · PC-12NGX
Related reading
- → How FLARE grades a landing — the composite formula behind every score
- → What "stabilized approach" actually means — the 1000-ft gate, four criteria, technique
- → Single-Engine Turboprop scoring thresholds — per-category curves applied to this airframe
- → Full scoring methodology reference — complete breakdown in the help docs