Development milestones
The 31 May 1991 first-flight date belongs to the original PC-12 family. The NGX is a much later development.
Aircraft libraryPilatus PC-12 NGX
André Gerwing · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Pilatus PC-12 NGX (c-n 2328, HB-FGA) 2025-04-10.Pilatus PC-12 NGX
A pressurised single turboprop with a large cargo door and a broad range of working roles.
Turboprop8 profile choices
Know the plane
Pilatus designed the PC-12 for business and utility transport. A low wing, retractable gear, rear cargo door and single Pratt & Whitney Canada turboprop support executive, regional-service and air-ambulance roles.
The NGX is a later development with updated engine management and cockpit equipment. Earlier PC-12 aircraft have different systems and performance specifications.
Pilatus PC-12 · Specifications (PC-12NG) · real aircraft; source units retained
- Length
- 14.4 m (47 ft 3 in)↗
- Wingspan
- 16.28 m (53 ft 5 in)↗
- Height
- 4.26 m (14 ft 0 in)↗
- Wing area
- 25.81 m² (277.8 sq ft)↗
- Empty weight
- 2,810 kg (6,195 lb)↗
- Max takeoff weight
- 4,740 kg (10,450 lb)↗
- Powerplant
- 1 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67P turboprop engine, 890 kW (1,200 shp)↗
- Propellers
- 4-bladed Hartzell Propeller composite, 2.67 m (8 ft 9 in) diameter composite constant-speed fully-feathering reversible propeller↗
- Cruise speed
- 528 km/h (328 mph, 285 kn)↗
- Stall speed
- 124 km/h (77 mph, 67 kn)↗
More about this aircraft on AirframeDB
The NGX programme before its public unveiling
Pilatus’s programme account dates the NGX’s first flight to 21 December 2017, nearly two years before its public unveiling in Las Vegas on 21 October 2019. Project leader Corné Smith described a team of more than one hundred people working on the development.
Changes inside and outside the cockpit
The NGX introduced electronic engine control, an autothrottle and a lower propeller-speed mode. Pilatus also described larger cabin windows and redesigned seats and headlining. The development therefore addressed both pilot workload and the passenger experience.
A quieter journey, with a surprising stick-pusher demonstration
Horne’s introduction to the NGX combined a travelling day with demonstrations of its new systems. The electronic engine controls simplified the start, while the lower propeller-speed setting made the cabin quieter without an observed speed change on that flight. At North Platte, a visual-approach display helped lay out the arrival before the group stopped for lunch.
On the return, Johnson demonstrated the aircraft’s protection systems. The stick pusher surprised Horne enough that he initially pulled against it, a revealing human reaction even for an experienced pilot. His subsequent landing went well despite several years away from the type.
Learning the new NG among the Swiss mountains
Berendsen began with an evening cockpit briefing at Pilatus before taking the left seat the next morning. Experience with larger business jets made parts of the new avionics familiar, but the flight offered something different: hand-flying through the Swiss mountains, practising landings and visiting several airfields with Alb’s guidance. A stop in Lausanne supplied a welcome lunch break.
He appreciated the navigation display’s help in understanding terrain and changing conditions. The interface also exposed a small but memorable frustration: operating its cursor joystick in turbulence was awkward without somewhere to rest his hand.
A military test pilot’s other cockpit
Rautio’s childhood ambition was to become an astronaut. Skydiving and military flying eventually led him into test work, with much of his career spent in Hornets and Hawks. The PC-12 entered that career when Finland acquired six NGs: he was one of three test pilots sent to Stans for training and acceptance work.
At the time of the interview he had accumulated about 300 hours in the type, fitting its flying around other projects. Later duties included acceptance flights after maintenance or repairs. He valued the aircraft’s handling and modern avionics, and hoped eventually to fly the PC-24 too. His account describes a continuing professional relationship with the NG, rather than a single factory demonstration or an NGX evaluation.
Public sources 10
- Pilatus PC-12Research background · Wikipedia revision 1369886263 · retrieved 2026-09-12
- Microsoft Flight Simulator aircraft manuals
- MSFS 2024 FAQ and edition aircraft inventory
- Pilatus PC-12 DGS SeriesOfficial developer / designated store catalogue · checked 2026-09-12
- Reality Expansion Pack · Carenado Pilatus PC12Official developer / designated store catalogue · checked 2026-09-12
- Pilatus PC-12 NGX: Digital pioneerThomas A. Horne · February 2020
- Pilatus PC-12 NGJ. Peter Berendsen · 2008 NG demonstrator
- DreamsInterview with Finnish Air Force test pilot Antti Rautio · publication date not established
- The next big thing: the new Pilatus PC-12 NGXProgramme-team interviews following the October 2019 unveiling
- ICAO Doc 8643 — aircraft type designatorsPublic search data retrieved 2026-09-14; authority update 2026-09-03
How the profile models it
Michael Sgier PC-12 classic
Free + ProX-Plane 12Michael Sgier
Michael Sgier PC-12 classic is the selected Michael Sgier configuration.
Spring resistance builds with the selected airspeed response. A separate aerodynamic term adds speed-dependent control load.
Valid trim provides the configured pressure relief. Autopilot following is off.
This exact revision has not been enabled for public installation.
Aircraft and configuration
Pilatus designed the PC-12 for business and utility transport. A low wing, retractable gear, rear cargo door and single Pratt & Whitney Canada turboprop support executive, regional-service and air-ambulance roles.
About the values
Strengths are normalized hardware-feel settings. They set the effect balance; hand force depends on the device and its limits. The IAS reference is a tuning value.
Master gain & control system
Master gain85%
The final overall output scale applied to everything the model produces, before the device cap.
More: everything (spring, loads, effects) gets stronger together.
Less: everything softens together.
Why here: Scales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits.
Forces
Spring strength74%
The base centring force that pulls the stick back to centre. Every other force stacks on it. Too low and the stick feels limp in normal flight; too high and it fights your hand and masks the smaller cues layered above it.
More: firmer centring that resists your hand at all times.
Less: a limper stick that leans on aerodynamic load alone.
Why here: This profile uses reversible-control loading for Pilatus PC-12 NGX. The baseline spring is 0.74. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 65 KIAS.
Spring deadband4%
A small neutral zone around centre where the spring stays quiet, so tiny movements at rest don't chatter. Wider is calmer but looser; narrower is more precise but can twitch around centre.
More: a calmer but looser centre with more free play.
Less: a tighter centre that may chatter at rest.
Why here: Sets travel around the centre before the baseline spring resists. Smaller values engage it sooner.
Overall aerodynamic load80%
A master scale over both sustained axis loads, applied before their independent balance. Profiles normally leave this alone and tune the two axis loads instead.
More: both axes load up harder.
Less: both axes lighten together.
Why here: The aerodynamic-load gain is 0.8 with an indicated-speed reference of 190 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring.
Airspeed blendingTrue
Enables the low-speed spring engagement window (start/full knots above). Off, the spring is constant at all speeds.
Why here: Allows baseline spring strength to rise with indicated airspeed where the control law permits it.
Low-speed spring floor55%
How much of the spring survives at a standstill, before airspeed can build any aerodynamic force. A high floor keeps the parked stick firm; a low floor gives the loose, cable-slack feel of a parked light aircraft.
More: a firmer stick while parked and taxiing.
Less: a floppier parked stick that only wakes up with airspeed.
Why here: Sets low-speed spring strength as a fraction of baseline when blending is enabled. One keeps full strength.
Spring engagement start8 kt
The airspeed where the spring begins climbing from its low-speed floor toward full strength: the controls "coming alive" on the takeoff roll.
Why here: Sets the IAS where the low-speed spring blend starts rising. This is a feel threshold, not a flight limit.
Spring engagement full65 kt
The airspeed where the spring reaches full strength. Between the start and this point, centring firms up progressively as airflow builds over the controls.
Why here: Sets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it.
Force tuning speed190
The indicated airspeed where aerodynamic load reaches its designed full level. It anchors the whole load curve to the aircraft's real speed range: a 172 loads up by 110 knots, a jet much later.
More: loads arrive later; the stick stays light up to a higher speed.
Less: loads arrive earlier and cruise feels heavier.
Why here: Sets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit.
Centre firmness vs speed15%
How much the centring itself stiffens with speed, on top of the deflection loads. Zero keeps centre feel constant; more makes the stick centre harder at cruise and looser in the pattern.
More: a centre that hardens noticeably as you go faster.
Less: constant centre feel at every speed.
Why here: The high-speed spring-stiffening gain is 0.15. It strengthens the permitted spring response above 65 KIAS, with the squared-speed ratio capped at 5.
Centre stiffening cap5
The upper limit on speed-driven centre stiffening, so very fast flight can't wind the spring up without bound.
More: more total stiffening allowed at high speed.
Less: stiffening clamps off sooner.
Why here: Limits the squared airspeed ratio used for high-speed spring stiffening; it is not a device-force cap.
Aileron load72%
The sustained roll load from aileron deflection and airspeed, balanced independently of pitch. Together with the elevator load it sets the control-harmony ratio reviewers talk about.
More: heavier roll forces.
Less: lighter, quicker-feeling ailerons.
Why here: Roll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.72 and 1, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled.
Elevator load100%
The sustained pitch load from elevator deflection and airspeed, balanced independently of roll. This is the main lever behind a type's pitch weight. It does not touch aileron, spring, trim, or buffet forces.
More: heavier sustained pitch forces at speed.
Less: a lighter elevator that takes less muscle to hold.
Why here: Scales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings.
Max output force55%
A cap on each steady pitch or roll force before it reaches the device, guarding against slamming or saturating the hardware in strong maneuvers.
More: stronger peak steady forces before clipping.
Less: a gentler ceiling; hard maneuvers flatten out sooner.
Why here: Caps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate.
Trim
Trim relief (elevator)30%
How strongly elevator trim relieves held pitch force and shifts where the stick settles. At 100%, a properly trimmed aircraft needs no held pressure, the trim-away-the-load workflow of real flying.
More: trim removes more of the held pitch force; at 100% full trim zeroes it.
Less: you keep holding force even when trimmed.
Why here: The profile uses the trim behaviour configured below. Pitch authority 0.3 provides load relief and permitted centre movement; roll authority is 0.12.
Trim relief (aileron)12%
The same relief for roll trim. Most GA types have no real aileron trim, so this stays at zero; types with roll trim get a matching value.
More: roll trim removes more held roll force.
Less: roll trim does less.
Why here: Scales supported roll-trim relief and permitted centre movement. Zero removes roll response.
Effect gains · ground
Runway rumble40%
Rolling surface vibration from wheel speed and surface type: pavement, grass, or gravel under the gear.
More: louder surface texture through the stick.
Less: a smoother taxi.
Why here: Sets rolling texture strength, modified by speed, surface and undercarriage configuration.
Gear bumps25%
Short discrete bumps from expansion joints, ruts, and rough surface, punctuating the continuous rumble.
More: sharper hits from joints and ruts.
Less: softer ground detail.
Why here: Sets gear-bump texture during ground motion, separate from touchdown impact.
Effect gains · airframe
Stall buffet35%
Airframe shake approaching the stall and while the stall warning is active: how loudly this wing announces it is unhappy. Types with a crisp break get modest buffet and let the horn carry the warning.
More: a louder pre-stall shake.
Less: a quieter wing; the horn carries the warning.
Why here: Sets stall-buffet strength. Zero removes the cue without changing simulator stalls or warnings.
Mach buffet0%
Transonic buffet approaching the Mach limit. Meaningful for jets near MMO, zero for pistons and turboprops that never get there.
More: stronger transonic buffet near the Mach limit.
Less: a smoother high-Mach ride.
Why here: Sets high-Mach buffet strength; onset and full-strength thresholds are separate.
Flap buffet0%
Low-frequency airframe vibration with flaps extended into the airflow, in the speed window where they actually work the air.
More: a rougher ride with flaps working the air.
Less: smoother approach flap.
Why here: Sets flap buffet at the configured position and speed gates. Flap movement texture is separate.
Gear buffet0%
Airframe drumming from retractable gear hanging in the airstream. Zero for fixed-gear types, where the airframe never changes shape.
More: more drumming with the wheels hanging out.
Less: cleaner gear-down flight.
Why here: Sets gear aerodynamic buffet; movement and ground-contact cues are separate.
Stick shaker50%
The dedicated stall stick-shaker buzz, fired by the aircraft's own stall-warning system. Only types with a real shaker get a value; everything else relies on aerodynamic buffet and the horn.
More: a harder stick-shaker buzz.
Less: a subtler shaker.
Why here: Sets triggered shaker strength; inactive while the shaker feature is disabled.
Effect gains · engine, mechanical & drag
Touchdown thump65%
The one-shot kick when the wheels meet the runway, scaled by sink rate: a greaser whispers, a firm arrival thumps.
More: a harder kick at touchdown.
Less: softer arrivals.
Why here: Sets landing-impact strength; landing telemetry and response shape determine the pulse.
Reverse rumble0%
Rollout vibration while reverse thrust or beta-range props are working. Zero for types without reverse.
More: a rougher rollout under reverse.
Less: quieter reverse.
Why here: Sets reverse-thrust vibration with valid reverser and engine conditions. Zero removes the cue.
Engine rumble12%
Continuous powerplant vibration following RPM between idle and full power, the ever-present reminder that something is burning fuel up front.
More: more engine through the stick.
Less: a quieter powerplant.
Why here: Sets estimated engine vibration using configured telemetry and response, not measured cockpit vibration.
Flap motion12%
Continuous vibration only while the sim reports the flap surfaces actually travelling. It follows real actuator motion and failures, not an estimated timer.
More: more vibration while the flap surfaces travel.
Less: quieter flap runs.
Why here: Sets texture from observed flap movement; a command without movement does not establish the cue.
Autopilot follow
AP follow authority10%
How far autopilot commands may physically move the stick. Kept tiny in MSFS, where a moved axis can read back as pilot input; zero disables following entirely.
More: the autopilot visibly moves your stick further.
Less: a barely perceptible follow.
Why here: Sets admitted AP-follow gain, not a percentage of travel. Runtime ownership and input limits still apply.
Stick feel
StickFeel · Trim feel enabledFalse
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Retained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement.
StickFeel · Trim relief enabledTrue
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Allows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount.
StickFeel · Force trim enabledFalse
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Enables local force trim, separate from aircraft-owned trim and add-on integration qualification.
StickFeel · G load enabledTrue
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Allows load-factor changes to modify permitted spring laws. Passive fly-by-wire feel can suppress it.
StickFeel · Rate damping enabledTrue
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Enables rate damping with the configured coefficients and control law.
Autopilot
Autopilot · Follow enabledFalse
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Autopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel.
Autopilot · Neutral hold enabledFalse
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Permits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target.
Autopilot · Neutral hold strength0.6
Why here: Sets admitted AP neutral-hold strength; inactive while neutral hold is disabled.
Aero
Aero · EnabledTrue
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Enables aerodynamic cues; each still needs nonzero strength and its simulator conditions.
Aero · Max flap index3
Where this effect reaches full strength (or has fully faded, for washouts).
More: a more gradual build to a later peak.
Less: a quicker build.
Why here: Sets the final flap index for detent normalization. UP plus three detents uses maximum index3.
Aero · Min flap index2
Where this effect begins fading in.
More: the effect begins later.
Less: it begins earlier.
Why here: Sets the first flap detent that admits buffet; this is a handle index, not degrees.
Aero · Shaker enabledFalse
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Permits shaker at supported warning conditions; the switch does not establish aircraft equipment.
Ground
Ground · EnabledTrue
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Enables ground effects; each still needs its own strength and contact or motion telemetry.
Engine
Engine · EnabledTrue
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Enables engine cues with nonzero settings and valid running-engine telemetry.
Mechanical
Mechanical · EnabledTrue
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Enables accessory cues with configured strengths and observed accessory movement.
Mechanical · Gain0.025
The strength of this effect.
More: a stronger effect.
Less: a weaker one.
Why here: Sets texture from observed gear movement, separate from aerodynamic and touchdown effects.
All profile settings
| Parameter | Value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring strength | 0.74 | This profile uses reversible-control loading for Pilatus PC-12 NGX. The baseline spring is 0.74. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 65 KIAS. |
| Spring deadband | 0.04 | Sets travel around the centre before the baseline spring resists. Smaller values engage it sooner. |
| Force gain | 0.8 | The aerodynamic-load gain is 0.8 with an indicated-speed reference of 190 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring. |
| Master gain | 0.85 | Scales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits. |
| Dynamic-pressure blend | True | Allows baseline spring strength to rise with indicated airspeed where the control law permits it. |
| Minimum spring factor | 0.55 | Sets low-speed spring strength as a fraction of baseline when blending is enabled. One keeps full strength. |
| Spring wake-up speed | 8 kt | Sets the IAS where the low-speed spring blend starts rising. This is a feel threshold, not a flight limit. |
| Spring full-strength speed | 65 kt | Sets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
| Force tuning speed | 190 kt | Sets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
| Airspeed spring stiffening | 0.15 | The high-speed spring-stiffening gain is 0.15. It strengthens the permitted spring response above 65 KIAS, with the squared-speed ratio capped at 5. |
| Airspeed stiffening cap | 5 | Limits the squared airspeed ratio used for high-speed spring stiffening; it is not a device-force cap. |
| Aileron force scale | 0.72 | Roll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.72 and 1, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled. |
| Elevator force scale | 1 | Scales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Maximum output force | 0.55 | Caps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate. |
| StickFeel · Trim feel enabled | False | Retained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement. |
| StickFeel · Trim relief enabled | True | Allows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| StickFeel · Elevator authority | 0.3 | The profile uses the trim behaviour configured below. Pitch authority 0.3 provides load relief and permitted centre movement; roll authority is 0.12. |
| StickFeel · Aileron authority | 0.12 | Scales supported roll-trim relief and permitted centre movement. Zero removes roll response. |
| StickFeel · Force trim enabled | False | Enables local force trim, separate from aircraft-owned trim and add-on integration qualification. |
| StickFeel · G load enabled | True | Allows load-factor changes to modify permitted spring laws. Passive fly-by-wire feel can suppress it. |
| StickFeel · Rate damping enabled | True | Enables rate damping with the configured coefficients and control law. |
| Autopilot · Follow enabled | False | Autopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel. |
| Autopilot · Follow authority | 0.1 | Sets admitted AP-follow gain, not a percentage of travel. Runtime ownership and input limits still apply. |
| Autopilot · Neutral hold enabled | False | Permits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target. |
| Autopilot · Neutral hold strength | 0.6 | Sets admitted AP neutral-hold strength; inactive while neutral hold is disabled. |
| Aero · Enabled | True | Enables aerodynamic cues; each still needs nonzero strength and its simulator conditions. |
| Aero · Gain | 0.35 | Sets stall-buffet strength. Zero removes the cue without changing simulator stalls or warnings. |
| Aero · Gain | 0 | Sets high-Mach buffet strength; onset and full-strength thresholds are separate. |
| Aero · Gain | 0 | Sets flap buffet at the configured position and speed gates. Flap movement texture is separate. |
| Aero · Max flap index | 3 | Sets the final flap index for detent normalization. UP plus three detents uses maximum index3. |
| Aero · Min flap index | 2 | Sets the first flap detent that admits buffet; this is a handle index, not degrees. |
| Aero · Gain | 0 | Sets gear aerodynamic buffet; movement and ground-contact cues are separate. |
| Aero · Shaker enabled | False | Permits shaker at supported warning conditions; the switch does not establish aircraft equipment. |
| Aero · Amplitude | 0.5 | Sets triggered shaker strength; inactive while the shaker feature is disabled. |
| Ground · Enabled | True | Enables ground effects; each still needs its own strength and contact or motion telemetry. |
| Ground · Gain | 0.4 | Sets rolling texture strength, modified by speed, surface and undercarriage configuration. |
| Ground · Gain | 0.25 | Sets gear-bump texture during ground motion, separate from touchdown impact. |
| Ground · Gain | 0.65 | Sets landing-impact strength; landing telemetry and response shape determine the pulse. |
| Ground · Gain | 0 | Sets reverse-thrust vibration with valid reverser and engine conditions. Zero removes the cue. |
| Engine · Enabled | True | Enables engine cues with nonzero settings and valid running-engine telemetry. |
| Engine · Gain | 0.12 | Sets estimated engine vibration using configured telemetry and response, not measured cockpit vibration. |
| Mechanical · Enabled | True | Enables accessory cues with configured strengths and observed accessory movement. |
| Mechanical · Gain | 0.12 | Sets texture from observed flap movement; a command without movement does not establish the cue. |
| Mechanical · Gain | 0.025 | Sets texture from observed gear movement, separate from aerodynamic and touchdown effects. |
Public sources 10
- Pilatus PC-12Research background · Wikipedia revision 1369886263 · retrieved 2026-09-12
- Microsoft Flight Simulator aircraft manuals
- MSFS 2024 FAQ and edition aircraft inventory
- Pilatus PC-12 DGS SeriesOfficial developer / designated store catalogue · checked 2026-09-12
- Reality Expansion Pack · Carenado Pilatus PC12Official developer / designated store catalogue · checked 2026-09-12
- Pilatus PC-12 NGX: Digital pioneerThomas A. Horne · February 2020
- Pilatus PC-12 NGJ. Peter Berendsen · 2008 NG demonstrator
- DreamsInterview with Finnish Air Force test pilot Antti Rautio · publication date not established
- The next big thing: the new Pilatus PC-12 NGXProgramme-team interviews following the October 2019 unveiling
- ICAO Doc 8643 — aircraft type designatorsPublic search data retrieved 2026-09-14; authority update 2026-09-03
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