natornator

The boss called and is set on buying a
new PC-12 NG. The demo flight is approaching and as expected, he wants me to pick out the extra avionics options to be included. Honeywell Apex Primus tailored for the Pilatus. Anyone here have suggestions for add-on's that should not be missed. I'm having trouble even finding an options list, and the one I found is vague.

satpak77

Speaking from King Air Proline 21 experience, and I do NOT know what is available for Pilatus, the following (which I have) make life much easier, and are likely offered

XM Weather
Satellite Phone
Electronic Charts
Dual FMS
HF Radio (not a biggie but "nice to have" for international and at re-sale time)

Lucky8888

Likewise, I'm a Pro21 user but I looked at the NG a couple of years ago and decided not to buy (for right or for wrong). I'm not familiar with the Honeywell Apex but I understand it is a great system. I totally agree with satpak77 but I would add a radio altimeter, if available and all of the data link pieces and parts. As an example, do you or the owner want ACARS? If so, you usually need a 3rd VHF (perhaps not available). Does the owner want Internet? If so you need all the appropriate components for GoGo (my recommendation). In any event, below is a listing of the optional equipment I had from 2 years ago. It may or may not be out of date but aside from that, I have no idea what is available.

P I L A T U S P C
-
1 2 1 4 7 E O P T I O N
O R D E R
F O R M

• Co-Pilot PFD with Co-Pilot AudiolMarker Panel
• HF/Comm-System (KHF1050)
• ADF
• Coupled VNAV
• GPS WAAS Capabity
• WAAS LPV (TSO-C146)
• 2nd GPS
• 2nd GPS WAAS Capability
• 2nd Mode S Transponder (non-diversity)
• Primary Mode S Transponder (diversity) in exchange of 1 non-diversity
• 2nd Mode S Transponder (diversity)
• Stormscope (WX500)
• Uplink Graphical Weather, Basic
• Uplink Graphical Weather, Advanced
• TAWS Class B & TCAS 1 (KMH 980)
• TAWS Ctass A (EGPWS Mk Vi) & TCAS t (KTA 970)
• Nav Interface to ELT (406 MHz)
• RS 170 Video Input
• Flectronic Checklist Function
• Honeywell ChartLink
• Satcom Antenna
• RVSM

satpak77

I forgot TAWS and RVSM (assumed it was RVSM'ed out of the factory)

also, yes on

WAAS LPV

hubbs

I flew a Legacy PC12 before that had TCAS 1, I don't know if the NG has TCAS 2 by default, but if it is an option, go for it.

WalkOfShame

I have a little over 1000 hours experience in the NGs from a previous job. The Primus Apex system is really nice (honestly, maybe a bit over kill for the pilatus) but it'll make your life easy as a pilot. I believe it comes standard with RVSM and TCAS 1 (at least all of ours had them... 5 a/c total). TCAS 2 is an option as is XM weather. Definitely get XM. The WX radar is ok but is really only accurate on the 50nm mile scale and closer. So XM will help you plan much farther out. Plus you'll be able to pull up METARs and TAFs of all the airports in the database and if the airport has digital ATIS, you should be able to get that too. TCAS 2 would be nice, but we didn't have it. Get the WAAS GPS option so you can shoot LPV approaches though. The lightening strike finder was helpful as well but not always accurate. Make sure you get it with the track ball curser/button combo mounted on the aft part of the center console (I believe that is the standard location now but I'm not sure). It can display jepp charts on either the top or bottom MFD's and displays your "own ship" position on the charts. It worked great. It should be able to display the charts as long as you have the jepp subscription and have mx load them into the Apex system. We had the digital checklist function but never really used it. It was honestly a bit more of a hassle then just using the normal paper checklist. I was primarily flying them overseas so we used the HF quite a bit but if you're only going to be flying stateside or around the North American continent, it's probably not necessarily needed. It you think you might make an Atlantic crossing at some point, than I would suggest getting HF. The APEX should come standard with VNAV autopilot capability now, but if not, get that too. Makes SIDs, STARs, and GPS approaches a breeze. Since there's really no traditional FMS (it's all integrated with one multi-function controller, as they call it) so dual FMS isn't possible, nor is there room for it on the center console.

That's about all I can think of right now. Hope it helps!

satpak77

Walk, what was your max comfortable IFR endurance (from a safety standpoint) for cross countries ? 5 hours or so ?

Also real-world speeds you typically saw ?

Thank You

feltf4

You could do more like 6+ with long range cruise. Around 13000 or below you are looking at 500 lbs and hour of fuel burn, when you get up into the flight levels you are looking at the low 300's. I just did a quick fltplan from BHB to MCO and my plan shows 2,280 lbs of fuel leaving you with around 420 lbs left. So yeah, thats going to give you around your 45 IFR reserves. And thats with a flight time of 6+18 (Direct). We generally do 4+30-5+15 or so on our longer trips. The real question is... do you want to subject yourself to 6+ hours of those numbing seats. I'm personally restless after 35 minutes. But thats just me.

satpak77

What is the sweet spot altitude wise for good TAS and still decent fuel economy, on a long cross-country...as in 3+ hours...? I am guessing about 26,000

natornator

Thank you all for the info, I'm glad I found this site and I'm sure it will be useful for all things aviation and more.