Light jet, gravel-strip certified
Pilatus PC-24 for Sale in South Africa
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Passengers | 6-8 executive, up to 10 commuter |
| Range | 2,000 nm with 4 passengers (Pilatus) |
| Cruise speed | 440 kt maximum cruise |
| Take-off distance | 3,090 ft, Pilatus published figure |
| Runway surfaces | Paved, plus certified gravel, sand, grass, wet earth and snow |
| Engines | 2 x Williams FJ44-4A-QPM, 3,420 lbst each |
| Produced | 2018-present (type certified December 2017) |
Pilatus built the PC-24 around a question most jet makers ignore: what if the runway is gravel? The result is a twin-engine, single-pilot jet certified for dry sand and gravel from entry into service, with grass, wet earth and snow added in 2020. It seats 6 to 8 in executive trim or up to 10 as a commuter, with a flat floor and a standard cargo door.
For a South African owner that redraws the map. A lodge, farm or mine strip can be the jet's final stop instead of a transfer point to a PC-12, subject to strip length, surface and the operator's approvals.
How much is a PC-24 in 2026
Supply sets the price. AvBuyer's May 2026 review counted about 20 PC-24s for sale out of roughly 330 in service; the four with published asking prices ran from $9.2 million (2019) to just under $12 million (2021), and Controller listings reach about $12.6 million for the newest airframes. Our working range for 2026 is $9.2 million to $12.6 million, indicative only and confirmed jet by jet.
That floor sits above the cheapest Phenom 300E or Citation CJ4 because the fleet is young and demand ran ahead of production: back in 2021 AvBuyer already saw used PC-24s asking more than their first owners paid. Hours, engine program cover and a gravel-heavy history move the number from there.
Gravel strips and Highveld take-offs
We treat the unpaved approval as a checklist item, not a brochure line: which surfaces the aircraft's flight manual approves, how many gravel cycles it has flown, and what the gear, flaps and belly look like.
Altitude is the other variable. Lanseria's field elevation is close to 4,500 ft and O.R. Tambo's nearer 5,500 ft, while the 3,090 ft take-off figure assumes sea level. On a hot Highveld afternoon, and above all on a short dirt strip at altitude, that can mean choosing between full tanks and full seats, so we run the charts for your actual strips before an offer goes in.
| Leg | Distance | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Lanseria to Kruger (Skukuza) | 210 nm | Short hop; strip surface is the real question |
| Cape Town to Windhoek | 690 nm | Easy nonstop |
| Lanseria to Luanda | 1,320 nm | Nonstop with fuel to spare |
| Lanseria to Nairobi (Wilson) | 1,560 nm | Nonstop; check hot-day take-off weight |
| Lanseria to Mauritius | 1,670 nm | Nonstop in most conditions, load permitting |
| Lanseria to Seychelles (Mahe) | 2,040 nm | Past published range, plan a fuel stop |
Prefer to just ask? Send a short message, we reply the same day.
Ask about Pilatus PC-24Registering, importing and basing a PC-24
South African owners go on the SACAA ZS- register, using form CAR47-A1 for a first-time import. SARS charges 15% import VAT on the customs value, duty depends on the tariff classification, and a resident buying from a non-resident while the jet is already in the country may avoid further SARS charges, a point for an aviation tax specialist to confirm. The full picture is on our South Africa buying page.
Natural bases are Lanseria, Wonderboom, Rand or Cape Town International, where ExecuJet based Africa's first PC-24 in October 2018. Pilatus Centre Southern Africa at Rand Airport is an authorised Pilatus service centre listing PC-24 support; we route work to approved maintenance organisations like it rather than claiming a hangar of our own.
Nairobi buyers face lighter tax: Kenya admits aircraft duty-free, removed VAT on aircraft purchases in 2023 and issues 5Y- marks through the KCAA, though Wilson Airport's 9pm to 6am general aviation curfew shapes schedules.
PC-24 pre-purchase checks
Beyond title and records, we send the inspection shop this list:
- Williams FJ44-4A-QPM engine program enrolment and time to the next major event on each engine.
- Flight manual supplements and equipment for unpaved operations, and records of how often they were used.
- Gear, flap and belly condition after gravel or grass cycles, including stone damage.
- Pilatus ACE avionics software, database currency and ADS-B compliance.
- Single-pilot insurance terms and the pilot's type-rating currency.
Who should buy a PC-24
Buy it when some of your trips end on strips the Phenom 300E and CJ4 are not approved for. If every runway you use is paved, our Phenom 300E vs CJ4 vs PC-24 comparison shows where a cheaper or faster jet wins; for mostly short bush work, a Pilatus PC-12 costs a fraction as much.
Ask on WhatsApp and we will send photos and the complete specification sheet for each PC-24 on our shortlist.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a PC-24?
Pre-owned PC-24s were asking between about $9.2 million and $12.6 million as of 2026, with 2019 aircraft at the bottom and the newest at the top. Few are listed at any time, which keeps prices firm. Every figure is indicative and confirmed per aircraft.
Can the Pilatus PC-24 land on gravel or grass strips?
Yes. It was certified for dry sand and gravel when it entered service, and EASA and the FAA added grass, wet earth and snow-covered surfaces in early 2020. Strip length, surface condition, altitude and the operator's approvals still decide each strip.
Can a PC-24 fly Johannesburg to Nairobi nonstop?
Lanseria to Nairobi Wilson is about 1,560 nm great-circle, well inside the 2,000 nm Pilatus publishes for four passengers. A full cabin, headwinds or a hot departure from Lanseria's altitude eat into that margin, so each flight plan is checked on the day.
Looking for a PC-24 in South Africa?
Tell us which strips you need to reach and we will see which PC-24s are genuinely available.
Ask about Pilatus PC-24