Grand Rapids, MI – Pro Star Pilatus Center, an Authorized Pilatus Sales & Service Center, is proud to have played a key role in the delivery of the first Pilatus PC-12 PRO to a U.S. customer. This milestone reinforces Pro Star’s leadership in supporting Pilatus aircraft and its commitment to bringing next-generation capability to operators across the country.
The aircraft was delivered to owners Ravi and Pheroza Arcot at Pilatus’ North American headquarters in Broomfield, Colorado, and will be based in the Northeastern United States. “I’m honored to deliver the first PC-12 PRO to the U.S. market,” said Michael Kenny, Vice President at the Pro Star Pilatus Center. “This amazing airplane is a supreme example of safety, technology, and exceptional operating economics. Pilatus has once again set the bar to a completely new level.”
The PC-12 PRO redefines what operators can expect from the world’s best-selling single-engine turboprop, featuring a redesigned cockpit, advanced Garmin G3000 PRIME avionics, and integrated Safety Autoland. Paired with the latest Pratt & Whitney PT6 engine and EPECS technology, the PC-12 PRO delivers improved efficiency, reliability, and simplified operation.
With a growing fleet of PC-12s throughout the United States, Pro Star Pilatus Center continues to provide the expertise, technical support, and customer-focused service that Pilatus owners rely on. This first U.S. delivery marks the beginning of a new era for the PC-12 platform, solidifying its position as the world’s greatest business turboprop.
Pro Star Aviation, headquartered at the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in New Hampshire with locations in Grand Rapids, MI, and Portland, ME, is a recognized industry leader in the maintenance and upgrade of business and government aircraft. The company is a factory-authorized service facility for Dassault Falcon Jet, Embraer, and Pilatus. Pro Star has gained national recognition specializing in avionics upgrades, in-flight connectivity solutions, special mission aircraft modifications, and aircraft sales. With proven capacity to manage complex projects and provide targeted solutions for unique operational requirements, Pro Star consistently meets the highest standards of performance and reliability. Pro Star is part of the Laughlin Family aviation group of companies, which was founded in 1948 and has additional operations in FBO, airline services, and aircraft de-icing. https://www.prostaraviation.com
For additional information, please contact:
Jeff Shaw, Director of Sales & Marketing
603-627-7827
jeff@prostaraviation.com
Last month, I discussed Gogo’s impending ATG network shutdown, which is scheduled to take effect by May of next year. This move from Gogo marks a key transition for business aviation altogether. It represents a seismic shift from legacy air-to-ground technology to LTE-based and satellite connectivity. In line with this industry-wide evolution, Gogo continues to look toward the future, now taking part in a brand new in-flight connectivity solution.
Pro Star Aviation, in close collaboration with Pilatus, is working with Gogo to develop a connectivity solution for the PC-12. The solution will enable installation of the Gogo Galileo LEO satellite system on any PC-12 model, delivering high-speed, takeoff-to-touchdown connectivity for operators around the world. The STC is designed to cover the full range of PC-12 models in service today, including NG, NGX, and PRO, ensuring that all operators, regardless of aircraft age, can access this rapid connectivity.
Comparable in performance to Starlink, the Gogo Galileo system will be the only FAA-approved LEO connectivity option for the PC-12. With over 2,000 PC-12s flying globally, this solution represents an important development for operators, especially since Starlink is not currently available for installation on this airframe. This solution ensures that all PC-12 operators will be able to stay connected no matter where they fly. From short regional hops across North America to international flights spanning continents, the new Galileo system will truly provide complete global coverage.
The program also combines the strengths of Gogo’s worldwide product support and service infrastructure with the Pilatus aircraft support network that owners already know and trust. Together, these two networks will deliver a connectivity experience designed specifically for the PC-12 community. Utilizing Pro Star’s FAA Organization Designation Authorization (ODA), development of the STC is already underway, with completion expected by the end of 2025. For any PC-12 operators currently flying with Gogo’s ATG technology, this new STC offers a clear path forward. With year-end delivery, operators will have time to plan upgrades ahead of the upcoming deadline, ensuring seamless connectivity through the May 2026 ATG sunset.
Not only is the PC-12 one of the most popular aircraft for business and private travel, it is also a remarkably versatile platform for special missions, including search and rescue, ISR, and air ambulance operations. The addition of this new LEO technology will enhance those missions by enabling reliable connectivity in remote regions and over water, where these aircraft often operate. With the ability to support live video streaming, real-time surveillance feeds, and other data-intensive applications, Galileo will unlock mission capabilities that have yet to be fully realized in the PC-12 community.
As connectivity expectations continue to rise, programs like this reflect how innovation and industry collaboration work to reshape what is possible in business aviation. This Pro Star and Gogo partnership ensures reliable, global connectivity that aligns with the demands of modern flight operations. By uniting Gogo’s LEO technology, Pilatus’ trusted platform, and Pro Star’s certification expertise, PC-12 operators gain more than just faster internet; they also secure a future-ready solution that keeps pace with the evolving needs of today’s connected world.