Pilatus Aircraft's third and final PC-24 prototype has started doing test flights and will be put on show at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (Ebace) this May. 

The third and final prototype, P03 took off from Buochs airfield on its maiden flight earlier this month. 

The eye-catching blue super versatile jet flew across Central Switzerland for 2 hours and 5 minutes, marking another important milestone in the PC-24 development programme. 

In the wake of the maiden flights by the first PC-24 prototypes, P01 in May 2015 and P02 in November 2015, this marks another major success for Pilatus. 

The P03 completes the fleet of PC-24 test aircraft. The first two prototypes have flown a total of 1,350 hours to date, including numerous significant test flights. 

Certification flights will be flown with the series-conform P03.

Certification of the PC-24 is expected in the fourth quarter of 2017 and nitial deliveries of the 84 pre-ordered aircraft will go ahead immediately after certification is obtained.

Pilatus Chairman Oscar Schwenk said he was delighted to have seen the P03 in the air.

“The PC-24 test flight programme is proceeding as planned and the results are very encouraging. The data we have so far indicate that our Swiss business jet exceeds published performance figures. I am confident that certification will be achieved in the 4th quarter, and am naturally looking forward with immense anticipation to the moment when our first customers take delivery of their PC-24!"

The PC-24 is the first business jet worldwide to be equipped with a cargo door as standard, and is capable of taking off and landing on very short runways and unmade strips. 

The jet also boasts an extremely spacious cabin designed for easy adaptation to personal requirements. 

Six stylish colour themes have been created in partnership with Designworks, a BMW Group company, and are named after well known ski resorts such as St Moritz, Zermatt and Aspen.

The P03 will be presented at Ebace, which runs from May 22 to 24, 2017 in Geneva, Switzerland.

The eye-catching P03 sports a blue livery with special pigments designed to produce a superb shimmering pearlescent effect.

The P03 will be kitted out with a Zermatt executive interior.