Pilatus PC-12 NG/ U-28A in USAF?

Happy Times · 04-01-10, 11:29 AM

Maybe someone here knows?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilatus_PC-12

It is listed as being used in special operations?
What could that be?
Does that mean it is not used in an utility role?

August · 04-01-10, 11:35 AM

It's smaller, faster and can fly higher than a C-130. It can be used as an air ambulance, insertions, aerial photography, and surveillance on a scale that matches the average Spec Ops teams it supports.

Weiss Pinguin · 04-01-10, 11:38 AM

The Phoenix Police Department is listed under users. Seeing as how there's a high amount of drug related crime in that area maybe the police department uses it for related operations? Or possibly just other more 'regular' special roles.

Edit: Also, the description for the 319th Special Operations Squadron states that they use it to provide 'intra-theater support' for special ops units.

Happy Times · 04-01-10, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by August

It's smaller, faster and can fly higher than a C-130. It can be used as an air ambulance, insertions, aerial photography, and surveillance on a scale that matches the average Spec Ops teams it supports.

Thanks August.

This one is also interesting.

PC-12M Spectre
Paramilitary special missions platform marketed in the United States, originally called "Eagle".

Im asking because the FAF is also getting these and you can bet that they are not only as liaison aircraft as listed.
They seem to be really useful platforms for our needs.

Torvald Von Mansee · 04-01-10, 02:17 PM

Slightly off topic:

are there commercially available prop driven aircraft which have a range of 2500 miles or so? because that's the flight range required between L.A. and Hawaii, which I think is the longest flight you can make w/out any place to land if there's an emergency or you need fuel.

There must be SOME!!

Skybird · 04-01-10, 04:25 PM

Pilatus planes - very good quality standard!

If I would need to buy myself a plane for bush flying, or in the mountains, Pilatus would be one of the first adresses I would check. The PC-6 is somehow a fetish for me.

04-01-10, 04:26 PM

Oh good. We can use those to...let me think...fly around with?

Happy Times · 04-01-10, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneToughHerring

Oh good. We can use those to...let me think...fly around with?

Yeah, deep in Leningrad MD.

04-01-10, 11:29 AM	#1
Happy Times Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 2,950 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Pilatus PC-12 NG/ U-28A in USAF? Maybe someone here knows? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilatus_PC-12 It is listed as being used in special operations? What could that be? Does that mean it is not used in an utility role? __________________

04-01-10, 11:35 AM	#2
August Wayfaring Stranger Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 23,197 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	It's smaller, faster and can fly higher than a C-130. It can be used as an air ambulance, insertions, aerial photography, and surveillance on a scale that matches the average Spec Ops teams it supports. __________________ Flanked by life and the funeral pyre. Putting on a show for you to see.

04-01-10, 11:38 AM	#3
Weiss Pinguin Ocean Warrior Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Auburn, Alabama Posts: 3,333 Downloads: 101 Uploads: 0	The Phoenix Police Department is listed under users. Seeing as how there's a high amount of drug related crime in that area maybe the police department uses it for related operations? Or possibly just other more 'regular' special roles. Edit: Also, the description for the 319th Special Operations Squadron states that they use it to provide 'intra-theater support' for special ops units. __________________

04-01-10, 02:17 PM	#5
Torvald Von Mansee Sea Lord Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: CA4528 Posts: 1,693 Downloads: 3 Uploads: 0	Slightly off topic: are there commercially available prop driven aircraft which have a range of 2500 miles or so? because that's the flight range required between L.A. and Hawaii, which I think is the longest flight you can make w/out any place to land if there's an emergency or you need fuel. There must be SOME!! __________________ "You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you" - Leon Trotsky

04-01-10, 04:25 PM	#6
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,614 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Pilatus planes - very good quality standard! If I would need to buy myself a plane for bush flying, or in the mountains, Pilatus would be one of the first adresses I would check. The PC-6 is somehow a fetish for me. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

04-01-10, 04:26 PM	#7
OneToughHerring Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Oh good. We can use those to...let me think...fly around with?