While the world of aviation offers us a wide variety of aircraft to chose from, only a selected few are suitable for flight-aid's relief missions. Both economy and versatility are important factors that have to be considered before putting an airplane into service. In Africa where large airfields are scarce and many runways are unpaved gravel strips it is imperative that the right choice is made when it comes to aircraft operation.

Typically flight-aid missions are flown into rugged isolated areas where rough and short airstrips dictate that certain criteria with respect to aircraft capabilities be met:

• short take-off and landing performance
• sturdy landing gear
  
• range to cover a great distance
• capability to carry considerable payload & medical equipment
  
• notable speed
  
• appropriate weather capability
  
• good safety record

The Pilatus PC-12 is the aircraft that enables us to pursue our humanitarian purpose....

Pilatus PC-12 (photo courtesy of Pilatus Aircraft)

PILATUS PC-12
Learn more about the PC-12's performance and capabilities here....