The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have certified the Safety Autoland system for the Pilatus PC-12 PRO, enabling the single-engine turboprop to execute fully autonomous emergency landings.

In a press release issued on September 24, 2026, Pilatus Aircraft Ltd announced the dual certification milestone for its Stans, Switzerland-based manufacturing program. The system, integrated into the Garmin G3000 PRIME flight deck, is designed to take complete control of the aircraft in the event of pilot incapacitation, navigating around weather and terrain to land safely without human intervention.

Autonomous emergency capabilities and flight testing

Once activated, Safety Autoland communicates with air traffic control, configures the aircraft for approach, lands, and shuts down the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6E-67XP engine. The manufacturer stated that the goal of the final certification flights was to demonstrate a fully automated landing in real-world conditions from system activation through engine shutdown.

Pilatus test pilot Patrick Willcock, who holds 8,200 total flight hours, conducted the certification demonstration flights. Speaking to aeroTELEGRAPH, Willcock detailed the system’s performance during the testing phase.

“The system has landed the aircraft so calmly and controlled that I never had the feeling I had to intervene. The PC-12 Pro put down a more precise landing than all my previous manual landings with the aircraft.”

Market context and production growth

Pilatus officially unveiled the PC-12 PRO on March 14, 2025, and completed the first delivery to the United States market on December 23, 2025. According to Aviation International News, the addition of the Garmin Autoland system brings the PC-12 PRO into alignment with other single-engine turboprops and light jets that already utilize the technology, including the Piper M600, the Daher TBM series, and the Cirrus Vision Jet.

The manufacturer has reported strong demand for the updated airframe. During the first half of 2026, Pilatus delivered 43 PC-12 PRO aircraft. Aviation International News reported this represents a 72 percent increase in deliveries compared to the same period the previous year. This production volume contributed to a 35 percent rise in company billings, reaching $535.74 million over the first six months of 2026.

AirPro News analysis

The certification of Safety Autoland on the PC-12 PRO removes a competitive disadvantage for Pilatus in the owner-flown turboprop market. With competitors like Daher and Piper having offered Garmin’s autonomous landing technology for several years, its absence on the premium-priced PC-12 was a notable gap. We view this certification as a critical step for Pilatus to maintain its market-analysis among high-net-worth owner-operators, for whom emergency automation has transitioned from a luxury feature to a baseline safety expectation.

Sources: Pilatus Aircraft Ltd

Game Aerospace successfully completed the first flight of its GB2 Stormbird prototype on September 23, 2026, advancing the development of the first purpose-built aerial firefighting aircraft designed in the United States.

Flown from Louise Thaden Field (KVBT) in Bentonville, Arkansas, the all-composite aircraft completed all planned initial evaluations. In a press release issued by the company, Game Aerospace confirmed the milestone moves the program into its formal flight-test phase aimed at Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 23 standard-category certification.

Design and payload specifications

The GB2, designed specifically for initial attack firefighting missions, features a two-seat cockpit to support both operational flexibility and training. The prototype recorded an empty weight of 6,050 pounds against a maximum gross weight of 19,000 pounds.

This weight profile allows for a mission payload capacity of 1,200 gallons of water or fire retardant, alongside a 400-gallon fuel capacity. According to background specifications reported by AOPA, the aircraft is estimated to achieve a cruise speed of 200 knots.

Market positioning and development history

The aerial firefighting sector has historically relied on Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs), which are typically modified agricultural aircraft such as the Air Tractor AT-802. Aerospace Global News notes that standard SEATs generally carry up to 800 gallons of payload. The 1,200-gallon capacity of the GB2 places it in the larger Type 3 airtanker classification.

Game Aerospace CEO, co-founder, and test pilot Philipp Steinbach piloted the first flight.

“The GB2’s successful first flight is the result of years of engineering, craftsmanship, and dedication from our entire team, as well as great collaboration with the FAA,” Steinbach said in the company statement. “Our goal is to provide the world’s most cost-effective aerial firefighting solution, an aircraft designed from the outset around the mission.”

The company, formerly known as Game Composites, accelerated the GB2 program following its January 15, 2025, acquisition of Grove Aircraft Landing Gear Systems. This acquisition prompted the corporate rebranding to Game Aerospace, as reported by Aviation Week.

AirPro News analysis

We view the GB2 Stormbird as a potential disruptor in the initial attack firefighting market. By designing a clean-sheet, all-composite airframe specifically for fire retardant drops rather than retrofitting agricultural sprayers, Game Aerospace can optimize the payload fraction and drop characteristics. The transition from a 6,050-pound empty weight to a 19,000-pound maximum gross weight demonstrates a highly efficient structural design. If the company successfully navigates FAA Part 23 certification, the GB2 could offer state and federal forestry agencies a higher-capacity alternative to legacy SEAT platforms without requiring the infrastructure of large multi-engine airtankers.

Sources: Game Aerospace

On September 22, 2026, Italian manufacturer Piaggio Aerospace announced a dual milestone, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the P.180 Avanti’s maiden flight alongside surpassing 40 sales of its latest Avanti EVO variant. The announcement marks a period of stabilization for the Villanova d’Albenga-based company following its 2025 acquisition by Turkish aerospace firm Baykar.

In a press release, Piaggio Aerospace, now operating as Baykar Piaggio Aerospace S.p.A., highlighted the enduring legacy of the twin-turboprop aircraft. The original P.180 Avanti first flew in September 1986. The company noted that the fundamental design has remained consistent, describing the longevity as a testament to the aerodynamic excellence of the original concept.

Production targets and recent sales

Piaggio Aerospace has set a target to reach an annual production rate of 30 aircraft over the coming years. This production goal follows a period of renewed investment and restructuring under Baykar, which formally acquired the company on June 30, 2025, ending nearly seven years of extraordinary administration.

The milestone announcement follows a September 18, 2026, confirmation that Piaggio sold two P.180 Avanti EVOs to an unnamed Turkish operator. The aircraft will augment the operator’s existing business jet and helicopter fleet.

Piaggio Aerospace Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Cristian Toninelli stated that the agreement represents an important step for the company and the P.180 Avanti EVO program.

“We are pleased to welcome another Turkish operator to the growing community of P.180 customers and to see continued interest in an aircraft that has demonstrated its value across a broad range of markets,” Toninelli said.

Fleet evolution and Baykar integration

The Avanti EVO, the third generation of the P.180 platform, saw its first customer delivery in 2015. Since then, the manufacturer has recorded more than 40 sales of the variant. The company is also developing a next-generation model, the Avanti NX. On April 23, 2026, Piaggio secured the first order for the Avanti NX from a European operator, featuring an executive cabin with stretcher modules for air ambulance missions.

Baykar has reportedly exceeded its initial first-year targets for Piaggio Aerospace. As of April 2026, the company retained approximately 675 employees, offsetting natural departures with new hires. The Turkish firm has injected capital to sustain operations, modernize the product line, and preserve the workforce at the Italian facility.

AirPro News analysis

We view the 40th anniversary of the P.180 Avanti as more than a ceremonial milestone for Piaggio Aerospace. It serves as a clear signal to the market that the manufacturer has stabilized after a protracted period of financial uncertainty. The transition out of extraordinary administration under Baykar’s ownership appears to have provided the necessary capital to not only sustain the Avanti EVO production line but also fund the development of the Avanti NX. Achieving the stated goal of 30 annual deliveries will require significant supply chain coordination, but the recent orders from European and Turkish operators indicate that demand for the unique pusher-turboprop design remains viable in specialized mission profiles.

Sources: Piaggio Aerospace