Finnish operator Hendell Aviation has obtained a commercial AOC from the authorities in Finland for its single engine PC-12 fleet.

“It has been a painful time developing this, but I think the climate is right for change now,” says md Matti Auterinen.

Finland has been a stronghold for the Pilatus single engine prop, with several government ministers making use of them, and Hendell has based the AOC on two-pilot operations. The operator has had to create its own procedures for two-man operations because the PC-12 is designed as a single pilot aircraft.

The company currently has two aircraft on the AOC, one based in Finland, the other in Lausanne, Switzerland, with another Swiss-based aircraft due in June 2016. It has a partnership with Fly7 to offer aircraft management and Auterinen reports strong interest from existing PC-12 owners.

The company has also invested in medevac equipment, which the PC-12 is well suited for, thanks to its sizeable cargo door. A certified stretcher has been developed with Spectrum Aeromed suitable for the PC-12NG.

“Since we started providing charter flights to Scandinavia and Russia in February 2013, we have been convinced that this AOC application is really the way to go,” Auterinen continues. “We were expecting to have some questions about the single-engine issue, but there were none. When our clients board the PC-12, they see that it is a Swiss-made quality machine with a spacious cabin and equipped with a lovely BMW Group Designworks interior.”

He is also keen to point out the lower fatality rates per 100,000 flight hours of the PC-12 versus twin engine turboprops. He does have type ratings on the A320 and A330 for national carrier Finnair, but admits that the PC-12 rating was the most complicated to achieve, with all training having to be done on the aircraft as there are no simulators in Europe.

He intends to create a bespoke training programme as the company's fleet develops. He concludes: “The Pilatus PC-12 has the lowest direct operating costs in the market in this class – a new product with a reasonable price tag.”