When test pilot Patrick Willcock departed Stans, Switzerland, it was no ordinary delivery. His mission: pilot the first-ever PC-12 PRO on a seven-day global ferry flight to its new owner, Dion Weisler, in Adelaide, Australia.
This journey was the ultimate real-world validation. After two and a half years of rigorous test flights, the 41-hour trip across three continents presented unpredictable challenges—from thunderstorms over India to complex airspace regulations. “You can’t truly test a system until you fly it operationally,” Patrick notes. Each leg proved the aircraft’s robust design and capability.
The adventure culminated in a celebratory water-cannon salute in Adelaide, marking the successful crossing of some of the world’s most demanding flight conditions.
Long before this journey, Patrick was deeply embedded in the PC-12 PRO’s development. As lead test pilot, he helped transition the cockpit from Honeywell Apex to the Garmin G3000 avionics suite, ensuring the interface remained intuitive for all pilots. “We had to push back in some cases to make the product ‘Pilatus class,’” he says, praising Garmin’s collaborative partnership.
Every detail, from symbol colors to system logic, was scrutinized. “Decisions made early on can’t be changed later, so it’s a huge responsibility,” Patrick explains. This meticulous, pilot-centered philosophy is now embedded in the aircraft.
As this first PC-12 PRO explores Australian skies, it carries a story of persistence—a testament to the team that transformed thousands of precise engineering decisions into one unforgettable journey home.
