Hi everyone, I'm looking for a Pilatus Turbo Porter to look at. Not to buy, just too walk around and look at. I've always been fascinated by the plane, but having recently read some history books about the clandestine "backcountry" operations in Asia in the 1960s and 1970s, my interest is especially renewed. Have any of you seen one around at your local airport? I live in the eastern US but also get around much of the country regularly, and I'll be flying the not-so-backcountry trip to Oshkosh next month if all goes well, and could stop along the way.

I think the SkyGeek people have one in New York. I remember looking at Clay Lacy's at McCall ID when he was hittling backcountry strips about 20 years ago with some of his friends.

Try Grand Junction, CO.
Maybe a local could steer you in the right direction….

Maybe a place to start... Not many in the list.

http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/AcftRef_Results.aspx?Mfrtxt=PILATUS&Modeltxt=PC-6&PageNo=1

i like there look, it's a cool plane

There's a couple in NZ used as Jump Planes, if you fancy making the trip

i did some flying in australian army ones when i was a kid. great planes!

as far as seeing one, I keep looking in my back yard for one to appear, but hasn't happened yet. but ill keep a eye out and give you a yell when i get lucky!

Thanks for the leads! Finding one will only get harder as time goes on. There is some good documentation about who owns the planes, but unless its a museum or skydiving operator, I'll probably do best to have a local introduction, rather than "I saw your plane on the internet..." Jono, it looks like you guys have a few on this list: http://www.pc-6.com/porterakt.htm
We might try to head down your way one of these days when our kids are a little older. My wife spent a few months in NZ once, so she doesn't need any convincing!

I have always seen one or two at Oshkosh when I have been there.

180Marty wrote:I think the SkyGeek people have one in New York. I remember looking at Clay Lacy's at McCall ID when he was hittling backcountry strips about 20 years ago with some of his friends.

From what I understand from some SoCal aviators (one kid based at Santa Monica who is also a plane photo hound and works at the museum at SMO), Clay Lacy still flys that Porter. Clay has showed up at some local Fly Ins/Shows in the SoCal area. I bet he would be kind enough to show you his Porter if you can contact him.

I demand pictures in this thread from the next person that sees one in person!

I'd like to be that person, that is a cool plane. Being able to nose it over and shove it in reverse must be a lot of fun.

There are some spectacular photos of vertical dives on the pc-6.com site lined above. I've been to Oshkosh for the past 6 years and haven't seen one yet, which might just mean that I don't know where one would park. Where have you seen them? Next time I'm in Southern CA I might try Clay Lacy. I need to get back to see the progress on Mike B's Bearhawk project at Van Nuys anyway. He's got the fancy 409 engine.

If you're ever in Abbotsford, BC, Skydive Vancouver operates one fairly regularly.

Nosedragger wrote:I'd like to be that person, that is a cool plane. Being able to nose it over and shove it in reverse must be a lot of fun.

I don't believe they're reversing to achieve those dives, would make for some terrible vibrations methinks. Most likely they're just at idle, maybe with a touch of beta, the drag from those big Hartzells is pretty impressive.

I bet the first couple times you point an airplane straight down it makes for some pretty serious butt clenching.

Halestorm wrote:

Nosedragger wrote:I'd like to be that person, that is a cool plane. Being able to nose it over and shove it in reverse must be a lot of fun.

I don't believe they're reversing to achieve those dives, would make for some terrible vibrations methinks. Most likely they're just at idle, maybe with a touch of beta, the drag from those big Hartzells is pretty impressive.

I bet the first couple times you point an airplane straight down it makes for some pretty serious butt clenching.

You're right. I thought full beta WAS reverse. Good read here:http://indopilot.blogspot.com/2013/03/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-pilatus.html

According to the FAA registry that Zane posted it looks like Jim Perry has several registered in his wifes name at Sultan Washington, the Sultan airstrip is located off of Hwy 2 (Stevens Pass) east of Monroe Washington.

Vaughans

It doesn't get much cooler than this:

Battson wrote:It doesn't get much cooler than this:

at last a pic! Good man!!!

Indiopilot has a couple of great videos with the Porter he controls . Check them out. Back around December if I remember correctly. Very well done.