How do I fly the Pilatus PC-12 in MSFS 2024?

To fly the Pilatus PC-12 in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, load fuel, payload and runway data in the EFB, start it with the interactive checklist, use the calculated take-off speeds, and manage climb and approach with the flight director. The NGX uses FADEC and one power lever, not separate propeller and mixture controls.

Which Pilatus PC-12 is included in MSFS 2024?

MSFS 2024 includes Carenado's Pilatus PC-12 NGX in the Standard Edition fleet, as shown in the Standard Edition roster and its aircraft breakdown. It is the modern NGX, so procedures written for older PC-12 variants may describe controls that are not fitted to this cockpit.

The NGX combines electronic engine and propeller control with a single power lever. A mistake we see constantly is treating FADEC as an autothrottle: it schedules the engine and propeller response, but you must still move the power lever to control speed and energy.

PC-12 NGX start and take-off procedure

1. Check the control bindings. Assign one throttle axis, rudder, toe brakes or a brake button, pitch trim, flaps and landing gear. Remove duplicate throttle assignments, and do not expect traditional mixture or propeller axes to operate the NGX correctly. If using reverse thrust, verify the binding or hardware detent while parked.
2. Load the aircraft through the EFB. Set passengers, cargo and fuel, then confirm that total weight and centre of gravity remain inside the displayed envelope. Enter the departure runway and conditions so the EFB can calculate the appropriate flap setting and reference speeds.
3. Prepare the cockpit. Set the parking brake, close the doors and use battery or external power as available. Enter or import the route, then inspect every leg rather than assuming the World Map route has transferred cleanly. Confirm that the first intended leg is active.
4. Start from the interactive checklist. Configure the electrical and fuel systems as directed, operate the starter and monitor the engine instruments throughout the start. Do not advance the power lever to rescue a start that is not stabilising; stop and identify the missed checklist item. Bring the generator and avionics online only when the checklist calls for them.
5. Configure for taxi. Check flight controls, trim, brakes, instruments and pressurisation or environmental indications. Use low power and the ground range for taxi rather than riding the brakes. An axis that slips unexpectedly into reverse usually needs recalibration or its duplicate binding removed.
6. Take off using the calculated data. Select the EFB-derived flap and trim settings, line up, then advance smoothly to take-off power while checking engine limits. Hold the centreline with rudder, rotate at the displayed Vr, raise the gear after establishing a positive climb, and retract the flaps on schedule as the aircraft accelerates.

Use the speeds generated for that flight rather than memorising one Vr or approach speed. Weight, temperature, pressure altitude, wind, runway and flap selection all change the answer. Updates beginning with Sim Update 3 also revised the aircraft's EFB performance calculations and environmental systems; our summary of the PC-12 changes introduced in Sim Update 3 explains the affected systems.

How do I use the PC-12 autopilot?

The PC-12 autopilot works reliably when the flight director, navigation source and active mode are checked before engagement. Hand-fly to a safe height, trim the aircraft, select the intended lateral and vertical modes, then engage the autopilot and watch the flight-mode annunciator.

For climb, set an appropriate target altitude, use FLC or a modest vertical speed, and adjust power to keep the engine indications within limits. In cruise, check fuel balance, electrical status and cabin or pressurisation indications instead of leaving the aircraft unattended.

How do I slow down and land the PC-12?

The PC-12 is easiest to land when the descent begins early and the aircraft is stabilised before the final approach. It retains energy well when clean, so reducing power late and diving towards the runway usually produces an overspeed or rushed flap extension.

1. Prepare before descent. Enter the destination weather, runway and landing configuration in the EFB. Set the calculated approach and landing references where the avionics provide speed bugs.
2. Review the arrival. Check the active route, altitude constraints and navigation source. Do not assume an imported approach is active merely because it appears on the map.
3. Control the energy. Reduce power and descend early. Use landing gear and flaps only below their displayed limiting speeds; do not deploy them simply to correct an unstable high-speed descent.
4. Configure on final. Select the calculated landing flap, establish the required approach speed and make small power corrections. For an instrument arrival, intercept the localiser from a sensible angle and the glideslope from below; our full MSFS 2024 ILS capture procedure covers source selection and approach-mode sequencing.
5. Touch down under control. Reduce power through the flare without holding the aircraft far above the runway. After the main wheels are firmly down, lower the nose, maintain directional control and use beta or reverse as required.
6. Leave reverse for the ground. Do not select reverse in flight. Exit the runway under control, retract the flaps and complete the after-landing checklist before changing avionics or EFB pages.

Why will the PC-12 not start or follow the flight plan?

Most PC-12 problems come from conflicting hardware inputs, an incomplete start sequence or an incorrect navigation source rather than an aircraft failure.