The Pilatus PC-24 is genuinely unique in business aviation. It is the only business jet in the world certified for operations from unpaved runways — grass, gravel, dirt, and compacted snow. This capability, combined with a built-in cargo door and a flat-floor cabin, earned it the marketing name "The Super Versatile Jet" — and it delivers on the promise.

Entering service in 2018, the PC-24 was developed by Pilatus Aircraft of Stans, Switzerland, the same company that produced the legendary PC-12 turboprop. Demand was so intense that the first two years of production sold out at the Paris Air Show before the aircraft had even flown. Pilatus has since ramped up production and delivered over 200 PC-24s worldwide.

The PC-24's versatility extends beyond unpaved runways. The 1.25 m wide cargo door at the rear of the cabin allows loading of stretchers, bicycles, skis, large equipment, or cargo pallets — capabilities that no other business jet can match. This makes the PC-24 equally valuable for executive transport, medevac, special missions, and adventure travel.

The PC-24's Williams FJ44-4A-QPM engines deliver 3,420 lbf of thrust each with quiet power management that reduces noise on approach — an important feature when operating into noise-sensitive small airfields. Total fuel burn at long-range cruise is approximately 460 kg/h, making the PC-24 one of the most economical jets to operate in its size class.

The takeoff distance of just 893 m is outstanding for any business jet. Combined with the unpaved-runway certification, this opens access to over 21,000 airports worldwide — roughly double the number accessible to conventional business jets. The PC-24 can fly from a grass strip in the Scottish Highlands to a paved international airport in the Middle East without modification or special equipment.

The landing gear is specially reinforced with larger tyres and a trailing-link suspension system designed to absorb the impacts of rough surfaces. Pilatus tested the PC-24 on unpaved surfaces across Africa, South America, and the Arctic during certification, ensuring robust real-world capability.

The PC-24 cabin features a flat floor throughout — a rarity in the light-jet segment and a direct benefit of the fuselage cross-section inherited from the PC-12. The 5.15 m cabin length accommodates six to eight passengers in various configurations, from a standard four-seat club with facing divan to executive layouts with individual reclining seats.

The cabin can be reconfigured rapidly thanks to a seat-rail system and quick-release seat tracks. In medevac configuration, the PC-24 can accommodate a stretcher loaded through the cargo door with medical equipment and an attending medical team. In cargo mode, the flat floor and cargo door allow palletised freight up to 1,000 kg.

Swiss attention to detail is evident in the cabin finish: hand-stitched leather, real wood veneer, and precision-machined metal fittings. The enclosed lavatory includes a solid door and wash basin, and the cabin management system provides Wi-Fi, USB charging, and individual climate control.

The PC-24 has no direct competitor — no other business jet offers unpaved-runway certification and a built-in cargo door. In the broader light-jet market, it competes with the Embraer Phenom 300E and Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen2. Both competitors offer more speed and range, but neither can access unpaved strips or load cargo through a door.

For operators who need versatility above all — accessing remote locations, combining passenger and cargo missions, or requiring medevac capability — the PC-24 is the only option. For pure executive transport on paved runways, the Phenom 300E or CJ4 may offer better speed-range economics, but they lack the PC-24's operational flexibility.