This is easily the most exciting and crazy flight experience I've ever done! I flew with a Pilatus test pilot aboard the new Pilatus PC24 "Super Versatile Jet" over Switzerland. During the test flight we did several extreme G force banking, stall demo with gear down, acceleration demo, dutch roll demo, touch and go, missed approach and sharp descend into Sannen/Gstaad Airport which is well known of the short runway.


Join me for a highly educational and instructional video with a professional Pilatus test pilot who knows all the tricks of the trade, as we take a flight within Switzerland aboard the Pilatus PC24 Super Versatile Private Jet.

In this video, I have the pleasure of travelling with professional test pilot Matthew Hartkop and being given a demonstration of several basic (and not so basic!) flight manoeuvres, with the beautiful Swiss Alps as the setting for this highly enjoyable insight in to professional flying.

Before I set off, the pilot checks all the exterior features of the Pilatus PC24 jet to ensure that she is airworthy and I get a look at the angle of attack probe, which measures air flow and the probability at any given moment of an engine stall (more about that later), and probes for dynamic and static pressure which are heated to extreme temperatures to prevent any ice buildup, especially at higher altitudes. The tyres of the aircraft are also checked, which are specially designed and toughened to allow for landing on not just traditional tarmac runways, but also fields, grass and dirt.

Inside the aeroplane, and before takeoff, Matthew shows me some of the highlights of the sophisticated and advanced information display of the aircraft which shows all sorts of useful information for the pilot including the flight vector, altitude, terrain description and engine performance. There is also a navigational display showing our flight plan. After a very interesting takeoff (crossing a road and a herd of cows!), we’re finally up in the snowy Alps, initially at a height of 10,000 feet.

During the flight I have the thrilling experience of briefly taking control of the plane, adjusting the angle of the nose and witnessing the PC24’s intelligent systems automatically adjusting the throttle.
I also get a demonstration of the antistall feature, with the aeroplane acting to correct a too steep angle of attack to prevent an engine stalling event. My pilot demonstrates the Dutch roll, a flight manoeuvre almost like swimming, with rolling and moving from side to side at the same time.

I also feel the squeeze as I am exposed to high G forces created by the touch and go manoeuvre and higher banking angles.
All in all, it was a terrific treat to be able to take this tranquil flight within Switzerland and learn so much at the same time. I’d like to thank Matthew for all of his useful instruction. What did you guys think of the video? Let me know what you thought of the experience down in the comments section below and, as always, thanks for watching.

The Pilatus PC24 was developed from the PC12 model, with work starting in 2007 and the first aeroplanes being delivered in February 2018. The aims for this new PC24 model were increased range and speed but with the retention of the aircraft’s key ability to land on uneven and unusual terrain. The aeroplane is powered by two Williams FJ44 turbofan engines.

The aeroplane can accommodate up to eight passengers and can be flown with either a one or two man crew. The plane is about 55 feet long and has a swing span of almost 56 feet and can cruise at a maximum of 506 mph with a range of about 2,200 km with a 2,500 lb payload.

As of April 2019, the fleet of 25 Pilatus PC24 Super Versatile Business jets has logged more than 4000 flight hours with the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia, Swiss airline Premium Jet AG and American Plane Sense and Western Aircraft all making use of the aeroplane.