Aircraft manufacturer Pilatus said it is optimistic for the years ahead on a back of an “exceptionally successful” business year in 2015.

Sales in 2015 shot past the one billion mark for the third year in a row to CHF1.1 billion ($1.15 billion).

The Swiss firm also reported a profit of CHH191 million ($200 million).

“2015 was another exceptionally successful business year for Pilatus. Sales revenue, at 1.1 billion Swiss francs, was successfully held on a par with the record results of the previous year,” the company said in a statement.

“At CHF191 million, operating results were excellent, too, even with high investment – almost CHF150 million – in infrastructure and research and development.”

Pilatus also more than doubled incoming orders compared to the previous year. Orders in hand at the end of 2015 amounted to a CHF 1.4 billion, providing a “comfortable base for the future”. The largest fleet order was received from the prestigious Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), which ordered 49 PC-21s in December last year. The PC-21 will be used to train the RAAF's future military pilots.

In 2015, Pilatus built and delivered 121 aircraft to customers all over the world. Around half were civilian models, the remainder were trainer aircraft. The civilian market is showing signs of recovering from the financial and economic crisis of 2008, Pilatus said, adding that in 2015 it delivered a total of 70 PC-12 NGs. Once again, North America, to which 49 PC-12 NGs were delivered, was by far its most important market.

Pilatus presented the 2016 version of its PC-12 NG, boasting a five-blade composite propeller and various aerodynamic improvements.

Occupying an important place in the Pilatus portfolio, the PC-12 NG will remain the object of further development moving forward into the future.

Generating two-thirds of overall sales revenue, trainer aircraft business again provided a very stable pillar for the company. 


SWITZERLAND

Pilatus continues to invest in the future and in Switzerland as a centre of employment, its goal being to achieve sustainable growth. In 2015 it commissioned a new logistics building in Stans with its 24-m-high, fully automated high-bay storage system, high-performance computer centre and superb light and airy works restaurant. 

IT has also started work on a state-of-the-art surface treatment centre which will meet environmental standards going forward and a project to convert an existing production hall and equip it with seven ultra-modern milling machines. 

With the start of series production of the PC-24 moving ever closer, preparatory work is well under way 

The Pilatus workforce at its headquarters in Stans grew by 63 full-time jobs to a total of 1,788.


PC-24 

2015 was the most important year yet in the development of the PC-24. P01, the first PC-24 prototype, took off for a 55 minute flight on May 11, becoming airborne for the first time after a takeoff run of just 580 m. P02, the second PC-24 prototype, took off on its maiden flight just six months later.

The two PC-24s are currently engaged in a very intensive and challenging programme of test flights scheduled here in Switzerland and abroad.

Together, the two prototypes have already flown over 400 hours, successfully completing various essential tests required for certification. Deliveries to customers are scheduled to go ahead from the fourth quarter of 2017.

"I am proud that our 2015 results are an almost seamless continuation of the previous year’s record results – and in Swiss francs, it must be said, one of the world's strongest currencies. That is no small achievement, and absolutely not something to be taken for granted! We are a company that believes in Switzerland as a centre of vision and action, and we fully intend to continue to expand our operations here in Switzerland in the future,” says CEO and President Oscar Schwenk.

“The PC-24 development programme is also advancing well. The results of the extremely challenging test flights are very encouraging, and we are satisfied with progress, which continues according to our milestone timetable. I fully expect our first Swiss business jet to meet customer expectations!

“2015 was another record year, but we already know that 2016 will not be quite as good. Sales revenue and profits will be lower than in the past simply because the positive impact of fleet orders will not be reflected in our balance sheet before 2017. But we look optimistically to the years thereafter, having laid a very solid basis in 2016!”