How To Preflight the Pilatus PC-12NG (Exterior)

Walk around the plane with me as I talk you through how I do an external preflight on the Pilatus PC-12NG.
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[@johnshannon9]

@GrantBaker You thorough walk around was greatly detailed, and seems pretty standard for many aircraft from GA, commercial (airliner types), to military. I did like the tour of the "hell-hole" for sure. Reminds me of my days working on VAW-120 E-2s & C-2s @ Chambers Field on NS Norfolk, VA. I've been around military and airline aircraft working as a ramper and maintainer since the early 1980s, and the one thing that I would recommend to you is to always "double-tap" any panels/access doors that have spring-loaded latches after you close them. You just make a fist and with the back of the fist (pinky side) just give a firm double-tap on that panel after all latches are closed to ensure that they are all secure. Those spring-loaded latches can seem closed, yet occasionally aren't really under the structure that retains them during flight, especially if they are older and haven't been adjusted or cleaned/lubed in a long time (if at all!). If you complete a double-tap, a not-quite-secure latch will usuually pop back open, allowing you to ensure that it is 100% secure, or perhaps needs a mech to come have a look at it. The ERJ-170/E-175 has a panel underneath the fuselage where the external air connects for ground a/c or heat, and it has only four latches for an access panel that is about 20 inches by 20 inches. I guarantee that at least one of those latches will pop back open with a good double-tap about 75% of the time. ALWAYS double-tap any panels/doors with spring-loaded latches!

[@johndaltrocanto]

The huge aviation nerd that i am thoroughly enjoyed this

[@Sam-ou8uv]

That engine was amazingly clean!

[@GrantBaker]

Haha yes it is!

[@softreset82]

Wow, this was incredibly thorough and well explained. Seriously might be the best (and perhaps only) thorough ground pre-flight on this aircraft. Learned a lot, thanks so much for doing this!

[@redbull195k3]

Самый лучший обзор Пилатус что когда либо я встречал в интернете, спасибо очень интересно следующий раз будет интересно рассказать и показать салон и кабину пилота. Желаю сколько взлетов столько и посадок, удачи

[@dgarner38]

Hi Grant! I just found your channel recently and have been enjoying your videos! I am an Air Force vet crew chief on KC-135’s and now work for the AF and a student pilot. Love the videos! I didn’t look at all of the comments, but I would say the tail section you showed belonged to a MiG-19? Wonderful videos for wannabe pilots like me! And we are not very away from each other.

[@GrantBaker]

Hey Dan! Are at Grissom? You’re close on the plane, it’s a MiG-17.

[@dgarner38]

@@GrantBaker I am in the Dayton area and work at Wright-Pat now. I got out of the AF a long time ago. I was never stationed at Grissom, but made a couple of trips there.

[@PrinceThomas00Ke]

🎉🎉🎉🎉 Very Professional

[@StephensonRaceTech]

pretty cool plane. That's my "lotto win airplane" for sure.

[@GrantBaker]

It’s awesome!

[@larrymayberry2312]

Such an awesome aircraft . Thanks for the tour

[@bagels377]

This was really informative, i loved every minute and learned a lot! Thank you!

[@GrantBaker]

You’re welcome Matthew!

[@OAlison]

God bless you man, amazing pre-flight of my favorite machine in the world.

[@therealrobinc]

@GrantBaker Wow Grant, I must say, your aircraft is immaculately clean, even its wheel bays & on the insides of all hatches! How do you do it? You keep it detailed regularly? 👍🏻👍🏻 Also, really appreciate you sharing your detailed external pre-flight checks. You make us feel right there with you. Pilatus should thank you for your effort. I'm sure quite a few sales of Pilatus is due to your thorough & engaging sharing. 😊

[@GrantBaker]

Thanks! It’s not always that clean. Haha! I detail it myself. Usually do the wheel wells at least once a year. I have been using Aero Gloss with great results! It’s not a wax, but you put it on like a wax and then buff off. It cleans the soot extremely well and leaves a nice slippery shine behind. I clean the whole exterior with it.

[@therealrobinc]

@@GrantBaker 👍🏻👍🏻😊

[@thepilotconnor]

Got the opportunity to right set in a PC-12NG soon. Watching your videos for study material.

[@GrantBaker]

That’s awesome, you’ll love it!

[@UTarcher72]

I really enjoy your videos and I absolutely love your PC-12! Sweet gig you have! I'd really appreciate a video about you, highlighting your aviation career and how you arrived where you are today. Give it some thought.

[@Alpha_Tango.737]

Just amazing , PC12 my favorite plane I wish one day I fly with , I like your video thank you for your shear ❤️👍🏽

[@GrantBaker]

Thanks, it’s a great plane to fly!

[@soulsurvivor1001]

Just found and subscribed to your channel! Thanks for all the awesome videos. I'm currently a college student but after graduating I plan on becoming a commercial pilot. Your videos are super helpful and I love how you explain everything you are doing. Thanks again and keep up the great work! I can't wait to see your channel grow.

[@fishingmedic1]

Thanks Grant for the detailed pre-flight of my favorite aircraft. Love your channel. How long have you been flying? Consider doing a video on your story of becoming a pilot and flying

[@GrantBaker]

Thanks Cory! I’ve been flying since 2005. I’ve had several requests for that video now, so it’s on my list to do!

[@Pilot.Lindsay]

Great Video. Thanks for Sharing.

[@patrickmorrissey8754]

This video as well as other aviation KZbins provide a wealth of information on various aircraft types. I just subscribed so I am looking forward to reviewing all your NG videos. Thank you for the time and effort. Patrick from Albuquerque

[@GrantBaker]

Thanks Patrick! I stopped at ABQ in one of my videos. 😁

[@loveplanes]

Thanks! Exactly what I was looking… question.. where I can find manuals, procedures, etc? Thanks for the help

[@GrantBaker]

You can get manual at www.pilatus-aircraft.com/en/customer-support/publications

[@johnhoss2950]

Awesome, thanks for the tour Grant. I appreciate your employer letting us all get a close look at your operations. On the prop heat probe issue, could you rely on amp meter draw to tell if your heat is on or off?

[@GrantBaker]

Yeah I should have mentioned that. Gen 1 will show the draw from the Prop Heat under normal generator operations. You should be able to see an increase when you turn the switch on if it’s working.

[@marktaylor8263]

Nice walk around Grant. That is one clean aircraft. How old is it. When you do an interior inspection please be sure to show the lavatory and all the seat positions with the tables. Great video Grant .

[@GrantBaker]

Thanks Mark, I do my best to keep it clean! It’s a 2019. I plan to do a video of the interior highlighting the passenger cabin things at some point.

[@Jorgespino]

This is a great video and one of my favorites on this channel. Thank you for sharing!

[@GrantBaker]

You’re welcome Jorge!

[@davidpoll220]

Great video. So clean in the wheel wells! Thanks

[@GrantBaker]

Thanks David! I clean them really well a time or two a year. It’s not a quick job!😂

[@markvanslyke294]

great video, as a Boeing and Cessna guy who's never flown anything else, I'm becoming increasingly interested in Pilatus as I live right near KHPN and KTEB and the sight and sound of these are just unmistakable... how often do you fly it and given how often you fly, what is your annual maintenance cost if you don't mind me asking. keep up the vids!

[@GrantBaker]

They are fantastic airplanes! We fly around 200hrs/year. I can’t share costs, sorry.

[@justinbarnes5498]

Very well done. Learned a good bit from this. One question, what if there were something wrong or out of the ordinary with one of the components, would you contact a local contracted Aviation technician that would come on site to make the repair, or contact Pilatus and have them send somebody to you? Such an intricate machine with many moving parts that can fail or get damaged, one small Hiccup and the plane remains on the ground. Thanks for sharing!

[@GrantBaker]

Yep, we have to take good care of them! If something would be wrong, I would start with a call to a Pilatus Service Center.

[@slavasandsglam]

16:00 Mig 15 tail. Great video, the aircraft looks very tasty like a cream id like to eat it. Every detail is beautiful and robust

[@TGAV8]

Awesome video

[@benakay]

Nicely done, Grant. Is it true there is an option for an externally serviced lavatory? Also, looking forward to your review of the inside of the airplane. Thanks and great job!

[@GrantBaker]

Thanks benakay! I’m not aware of that option for the PC-12, but the PC-24 has it.

[@PhoenixKS]

Great video! That's not a MiG-17 carcass in the back of the hangar, is it?

[@GrantBaker]

Wow, I really thought it might take you guys a bit longer to figure it out! Yep, it came in for the 2019 airshow ( www.americasfreedomfest.net ), had an afterburner issue and has been stuck here since. The rest of it is currently in a different hangar across the ramp.

[@slavasandsglam]

It is))

[@robertoserrano1108]

Nice pre-flight. You forget to point out where are the static system drains

[@GrantBaker]

Thanks Robert! Checking the pitot or static drains is not on the preflight checklist. But I agree, it would have been nice if I’d have pointed them out.

[@robertoserrano1108]

Believe or not not too many people know where are located. You have nice flight videos, I just saw the one taking off from KOPF. ✅👍👍

[@pilotboy2612]

Great vid! Is that dump valve at 10:14 the outflow valve or is that somewhere else's?

[@GrantBaker]

Yeah that’s the outflow valve that regulates pressure. The overpressure valves are in the rear bulkhead.

[@pilotboy2612]

@@GrantBaker Thanks, thought so. Interesting to see how other aircraft differ e.g the 737 has two doors: one opens inwards and the other outwards. Here we have a butterfly valve - simple design. I guess there's no ram air cooling for the aircon pacs. I forget the tech name on the pc12.

[@GrantBaker]

Correct, no ram air for it, and it’s called a VCCS (Vapor Cycle Cooling System).

[@seniorgolfer]

There is a lot to check. What if any of those things are not normal, do you have to cancel the flight? Must you have a qualified mechanic nearby to fix things before you can fly again? How often do you find problems, and how long does it take to get them fixed? How do you change the tires?

[@GrantBaker]

Yep it’s a lot to look at! For most things, if it’s not normal it would need to be fixed before flying again. We do have a maintenance shop on the field, or if it’s something specialized, the Pilatus service center can send somebody out to get it fixed. To change tires, there are special hard points for lifting the airplane with jacks so the airplane is off the ground and the wheels can come off. I haven’t found any issues yet during preflight that caused a cancellation.

[@seniorgolfer]

@@GrantBaker I'm wondering about ownership for private use. Having a knowlegable mechanic nearby is a must? If the Pilatus service center sends someone for a specialized problem, will that burn your wallet?

[@GrantBaker]

Ah gotcha. I’m not sure what a typical charge is to fly a mechanic out. Our service center included that since we bought new from them. As I understand it, Pilatus doesn’t allow access to the maintenance manuals, so you are married to the service centers for most repairs.

[@seniorgolfer]

@@GrantBaker OK. Thanks.

[@mjcmustang]

I wouldn't be surprised if that passenger door motor is similar to what's used on automotive powered tailgates. Audibly it sounds quite similar

[@GrantBaker]

Could be! The rumor I’ve heard is that it’s the same motor BMW uses for wiper blades.

[@AviationVideosGuatemala]

The abandon fuselage is a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 ?

[@GrantBaker]

Yep!

[@dabneyoffermein595]

so if the prop-heat won't come on at all are you screwed or is there an override?

[@GrantBaker]

If it won’t come on, then you don’t have any icing protection for the prop. So you would exit icing conditions ASAP and could cycle power to adjust the prop angle and change the airflow load on the existing ice and possibly help shed it.

[@DaveFRyannn]

The Russian Aero is a Mig type, bit big for the Mig 15, so maybe a later model.

[@GrantBaker]

Yep, Mig 17!

[@DaveFRyannn]

@@GrantBaker Yes years ago, I had the Airfix 1/72 model of the 15 which was a bit like the Saber. Proves that a design feature will come from the needed performance required of the drawing board list. Look at Piper and Beech, their Tomahawk and Skipper. DC8 and B707. When doing the CPL Nav and performance study, the lecture touched on OEM's security. He went to Silicon Valley to visit a friends at work, went through all the checks and multi checks before being escorted to his friends work station where his friend was on the phone to an opposition collogue discussing how they over came a technical design problem. Guess it happens with OEM manufactures too.

[@kenshepard7209]

On stabilized final in pc12, do you manage airspeed with pitch or power? may be dumb question but....

[@GrantBaker]

Well it’s always a combination of both, but I usually think of it in terms of pitch for airspeed and power for altitude.

[@Funraiser]

You mean the fight deck?

[@tonyantill6566]

The toilet, what capacity is the holding tank?

[@GrantBaker]

Tony, I can’t find anything that says how big the fresh water tank is and I haven’t filled it from empty. The waste container is listed at 1.25 gallons (4.75 liters).

[@rmelvin1662]

Great video Grant. Do you have Instagram?

[@GrantBaker]

Thanks! I do, but I’m not active there currently.

[@desks3674]

Isn't that a tail stand not a towbar?

[@GrantBaker]

It’s both actually.

[@desks3674]

@@GrantBaker oh awesome lol. I got hired at a part 135 that flies the NG's and your channel is an absolute gold mine of NG content. Sims are backed up so our training is in a few weeks and its all in the airplane

[@GrantBaker]

Awesome! You’ll love flying the airplane. Switching from Garmin to Honeywell is the hardest part. Personally I didn’t find it too terribly difficult, but it does take some getting used to. Glad you’re finding my content useful!

[@jpmeyer4159]

Tail stand maybe?

[@GrantBaker]

Yep it’s both a tow bar and a tail stand. Although it would’ve been more relevant to say it’s a tail stand. That is what it’s used more for.

[@gnufz8623]

The plane at 16:00 looks like the tail of a MIG-21 to me....

[@GrantBaker]

Close! It’s a -17.

[@gnufz8623]

@@GrantBaker 😊 - I wasn't 100% sure as it seemed a wee bit small for a -21, but the semi-t with the extremely swept horizontal stab is iconic for the old MIGs. Was my first model-plane when I was six. My big sister's boyfriend impressed me with taking his time to build it with me (although his intention was probably to impress my sister by building it with me 🤔🤣). That has been 47 years ago now... Btw: Love your video - AND anything from Buochs... 😜🇨🇭

[@sachinkumarsachinkumar2167]

Bro are u ame b1 Or b2 Or technician

[@GrantBaker]

I’m just a pilot, not a mechanic. 🙂

[@sachinkumarsachinkumar2167]

Oh ok from which country

[@GrantBaker]

USA

[@sachinkumarsachinkumar2167]

May i know ur salary

[@GrantBaker]

No, that’s not something I’m going to share.

[@GormanFrench]

How did I come across this video looking for a tutorial on how to trim my testicle hairs with a Precision Cut 12 razor?

[@GrantBaker]

🤣That’s certainly strange and hilarious! If you aren’t a pilot, maybe it’s a sign you should take flight lessons. 😁

[@williamrunyan4146]

Chinese mig, I think.

[@GrantBaker]

Yep!