The Jeep of the Air

Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter

What is it good for?

Hauling people and cargo into and out of somewhere that is otherwise accessible only by helicopters

Has many configuration options and quick conversions – Yeah it has trap doors so be nice to the pilot!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=euOlFYZIITw Example of STOL

Utility Airplane

Cold: to -67 degrees FHot: to 131 degrees FDesert (Sand), Rocky terrainHigh density altitudesSnow / Water https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92ErTsiMwLw

Max operating altitude is 25,000 feetIt can even handle an occasional paved

runway

Where can it operate?

Design Basics

3,080 pound empty weight

6,173 pound take-off weight Wing tanks = 170 gallons

Optional under wing tanks = 128 gallons

39 gallons per hour

Weight & Fuel

Never Exceed Speed Vne

151

Design Diving Speed Vd

167

Design Cruise Vc

119

Max Flap Extend Vfe

95

Stall @ Idle with Flaps Up Vs

58

Stall @ Idle with Flaps Down Vso

52

Max Speed Level Flight with Continuous Power Vh

125

Speed, Range, Endurance

Max Endurance is 7 hours 30 minutesMax Range is 870 NMRemember that 10:1 glide ratio?

Normal Take-off ground roll 646’Normal Distance to 50’ 1,558’

STOL take off distance 1,443’STOL Landing ground roll 417’STOL Landing distance (50’) 1,033’https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npEY7zTZ3C

8Climb rate at sea level / 5,000’ 1,010 /

935 fpm

Distances and Rates

Unlike a piston turbo, it is normally aspirated

It taps into its “extra” power as it encounters less dense air

What does 680 SHP flat-rated to 550 SHP mean?130 SHP in the bank!

This is the source of its superior high altitude capability and stable climb rate

Let’s Talk About That Engine

A GA airplane with REVERSE

What is Beta Mode?

Skydive 1

Reverse

Propeller Capabilities

Peter Collins review of the modern Porter:

“I found the PC-6 easy, pleasant and accurate to fly. The control forces were light and well harmonised. The aircraft felt nimble in roll with a sustained roll rate of around 60°/s. Strong adverse yaw was exhibited with any large lateral stick input, but this was quickly corrected by the fin.”

Control and Maneuverability

Yes to bothThey are built by hand and the builders

actually sign their names to the airframe in the tail section.

Engine has few moving parts & is easily accessed.

Maintainability and Reliability

Operating :$320/HrBuy one new for “just” $1,800,000Includes: $179.0o Fuel, engine reserve, prop

reserve, oil consumption, maintenance labor hours

Partial Engine Overhaul $20,000Total Engine Overhaul: $40,000 Prop Overhaul: $11,500100 hour inspection: $3200

Cost

Yeah, it’s slow for an airplaneHigh wing is less maneuverable than a low

wingT-tail / V-tail have better spin recoveryThe trim for the pitch axis has a large amount

of authority, so any malfunction causes major control issues

Visuallyunattractive

Disadvantages

Versatile, rugged, reliable, and capable

Landing on foot path

I still don’t see the downside…