The Mythic Pilatus Porter PC-6 (s/n 672) "Mike Zulu"

From the Vietnam war to the spotlight with the Soul Flyers, the Pilatus Porter s/n 672 ("Mike Zulu" for the intimate) lived 50 incredible years, until its crash in 2017.
An amazing story that literally felt on us from the sky ...
Featuring Mike Fitzgerald (ICARIUS AEROTECHNICS)
Director : Sébastien Nestolat | Buena Onda Films
www.buenaondastory.com
Aerial footage & Soul Flyers : Supersize films / Red Bull
www.supersizefilms.com
On-board images : Cédric Tempier
Skydiving images Pascal Maury
3D Artist : Tristan Bourrelly
History consultant & Photos : Alain Genève
(pilatus-history-and-news.blogs...)
2nd camera : Denis Bois
Audio | Editor : Sébastien Nestolat
Special thanks to :
Mike & Corinne Fitzgerald
Dino Raffault
Alain Geneve
Arnaud Morey
Music : Artlist.io

[@dxhunter5277]

Congratulations for the successful repair. In 1985 I also had the pleasure of repairing a completely destroyed PC6 with our aircraft technician. The plane was then in use for the Red Cross in Africa. The rebels had mined the airstrip, you can imagine the end.

[@buenaondafilms05]

Wow ! That would have been such another great PC-6 story to tell !

[@akadama-1978]

Great job. This old lady deserves it. Once you hear her engine sound and see the outstanding flight capabilities you fall in love. First time i see one was 35 years ago. Thanks to people like you its still there. You made my day.

[@palco22]

Pilatus Porter PC-6 can do more than what was intended back in 1959 and you must consider that over half of the total production is still flying after 60 years (2019). So, if you have a ton of things to carry around and less than 200 meters of land this little plane will jump to the occasion for you ! Bringing any airplane back to life always makes for a great video !

[@neejlomzem]

I love Pilatus porter pc-6 since I was 10 years old I'm now 57 and still love it wish I can own one before I die.

[@rafjum]

My favorite plane of all time! Thanks a lot Pilatus ;-)

[@Renard380]

In this throw away society where almost everything is now made of plastic so it can be disposed of quickly, it is really nice to see people who know the value of things and are ready to put in time and sweat to repair them. Especially old things, especially an airplane. I know people say that PC-6 are flying boxes but i find them beautiful.

[@wolfnomis8138]

As skydiver a big thank you for rebuilding it. PC6 rules !

[@MultiCutaway]

I was the first person to jump out of a glider(Blanic) in South Africa. I have jumped out of a 737, Skyvan, C130, Casa 212,265, Cessna's, Oryx,etc,etc. but the best of all was always the Porter. The shortest take-off's and landings and climb like a fart out of a bath. Simply the best ever. Take care of her. 👍

[@Dav1dV7]

I started skydiving out of the Pilatus Porter at Skydive Maubeuge (France) and very few other planes compare to the sheer beauty of its flight... A shame they don´t produce them anymore!!!

[@philipmartin708]

I wish to commend you for this film. Great job in all respects. It made me tear up. It's a great story, about a great plane, with a happy ending. Thanks for making it.

[@buenaondafilms05]

Hi Philip and thank you for your comment. Positive action and emotions are made to be shared ! That's what is called la Buena Onda ;)

[@jxk4500]

Yes, what a legend - I hope you keep flying them for another 60 years

[@maverick23041985]

I feel so lucky to fly one of these fantastic machines !

[@roblight3112]

Done my AFF out of this aircraft many moons ago at Emps, love it and so glad it is flying again!

[@MarttiPaalanen]

As a young bloke i have skydived out of a turbo Porter hundreds of times. One of my all time favorites. Nothing like it unless it be a Maule Lunar Rocket on floats. Another plane with lots of memories and high adventure in the far North.

[@davidtheiler562]

The last pc-6 ever made crashed in to the ocean last year on its way to his costumer A really sad ending for a so great aircraft

[@martinburi6648]

I am Proud of you. We are in Switzerland say`s this airplaine to destroyed is impossibell Sorry for my English have a graet time over the top..

[@richarddouglas2960]

My dad used to work for Continental Air Services and more than likely flew this exact plane from the factory . He used to go and pick them up directly back in the sixties . From what I know any pilot that has ever flown the porter has a love affair with it . A completely legendary STOL aircraft .

[@joergwiesmann4261]

....a BIG COMPLIMENT !!! to all Team !!! sooo a grait work !!! kinde regards from a former PORTER Pilot out of Switzerland the home of the PORTER .....

[@albertschultz7151]

I understand your passion, I feel your passion, I share your passion. She is not just a machine . . . SHE is a Lady. ❤️

[@redbearrc6706]

The Porter, PC-6, the first one is one year older than me. So sad they stopped producing them. An Air America pilot once said he hated when he saw a plane crashed and died. They flew this Porter The MZ got a resuscitation of 2 years. wow. He must have been in love with her. Good job!

[@willemkoworldonline]

the amount of summers (and winters) i have jumped from MZ i do not know must be over 400 jumps never did i know the history, thank for this

[@bazurful]

When I was just a small boy I flew with one of of the pc-6 (several times actually) - and I loved it back then and nowadays so much so, that I will take on the ppl to fly it in a few years from now. So I can lift skydivers up there in one of the most iconic planes to me. :)

[@musikmaan]

Excellent!!... my dream plane!...I haven't managed to fly one yet, but I will someday I hope. I named my son Porter after this aircraft.

[@jdeandresarp]

beautiful video, thanks to those who put the money and those who repaired the plane... a tear runs down my face

[@EndeL000]

I love the PC 6

[@weggel123]

Well, I started skydiving out of the Philatus at Hilversum, Netherlands (PH-OTB), Real nice and great plane. Thanks for the video!

[@4000meter]

I did AFF mostly out of EC-EMZ and this plane will always have a special place in my heart!

[@Slarti]

I jumped out of one in around 1989 for my third static line jump.

[@grahamthebaronhesketh.]

I was at Empuria brava in the North of Spain, amazing skydiving DZ.

[@c3vids_shorts]

What a beautiful aircraft. I wish I could fly this someday 👍✈

[@dr.chrisketo7193]

Super! Danke!

[@FlorianRunser]

Beautiful story of what a passionated team could do for an iconic aircraft. Could be proud of them ! Probably the thing I wanna learn to fly one day, with that climb and descent rate... !

[@angargoy7181]

Impressive the first part of the video and a great idea to rebuild the plane after the accident. It is a good plane, I jumped from it in the 70s many times. My congratulations

[@businessjetguru1298]

Well done! The Pilatus Porter is a unique and extremely capable aircraft. I imagine you had to shock-load test the engine? The end of an era. I'm disappointed that Pilatus decided to stop manufacturing the type. I believe certain types should be built in small numbers (deHavilland Twin Otter, Pilates Porter, Britten Norman Islander) for those unique applications no other type can manage.

[@kmart1319]

So sad to hear that Pilatus has decided to stop production of the Porter.

[@davidtheiler562]

Yeah really sad And the last pc-6 ever made crashed last year on its way to his costumer Ah really sad ending

[@cavsh00ter]

Man i wish i could be in on that rebuild, the thing that stuck with me is you had a good schooling and teacher great words

[@tokpaben9165]

Wow. Great. I couldn't believe my eyes. Extra-ordinary...I could say 'stunts'. You guys did a good job. I once had a good friend who died in a parachute jumping in Kuala Lumpur in a rehearsal for our Independent Celebration. He was a qualified trainer. He had taught all his trainees what to do in case of emergency...main parachutes stuck or entangle. On that morning, one of his trainees had his parachute entangled. He became panic and flown to my friend and grabbed him hard. My friend couldn't pull out his parachute in time. The drop was so fast. My friend died on the spot. His trainee died a week later.

[@humbertoecheverry3299]

Soy un loco enamorado de los aviones..Pilatus..!!!

[@andrewh8504]

Great story. I learned to skydive in a Porter and still love to see them around.

[@aviatoraw]

Much respect. A worthy project indeed.

[@nickcravet9421]

Amazing bird, amazing people ❤️

[@rogercapote8930]

I like this aircraft.

[@maximepastore4851]

Best aircraft ever! Swiss made ❤️🇨🇭

[@capt.robertodegioannis9954]

Beautiful plane and very nice story..👍

[@jeno826]

What a wonderful airplane!!!!

[@user-of4tu7yo1y]

Delightful! The sky is my dream. I'm going to study to be a pilot

[@InexorableOne]

Time to find and rebuild more!

[@GiuseppeSRedSky]

Wonderful!!

[@12345fowler]

Super job which do her justice. Well done.

[@johnpooky84]

I was shocked, back in 2019, when I heard that the Porter wasn't going to be made, anymore. The Porter is the most badass STOL plane; both in real-life, and in MS Flight Simulator. I'm not dissing the PC-12, because I like that one, too, but the Porter can do stuff that the PC-12 (as far as I know) can't.

[@Wobbler619]

Like many other current and ex skydivers I have this Porter in my log book :-)

[@WanderfalkeAT]

How many Enthusiasts will go crazy when the Swiss Airforce retires their Porters and they end up on trhe Market :) My Country Austria also has PC-6 and PC-7 and they do not think about replacing the Porter. Sometimes they fly directly over the Company I work for in Formation out of Wiener Neustadt. Whenever I see them I am googly Eyes :) Now I am flying them in MSFS2020 all the Time. Not the standard One off course but the Masterpiece from MilViz.

[@onenessisthekeyJISL]

everytime I see this video it gives a feeling in My heart that almost makes me Cry. I just Love Flying so Much I will give everything I own for just a chance to be able to become a pilot and get a Pilatus Porter PC-6 and Fly until my heart Gives up . My dream my Passion my desires is to be a pilot.

[@gianurwiler5098]

Good Video Pilatus is Great ^^

[@dtsh4451]

What a shame they stopped building this airplane! Time for build kits to pick it up and continue the legacy ?

[@agustinusdegei9968]

Spectaculer 👍🏽

[@arizhkurniawan2111]

They are still produce the porter right now acctually, i don't know how, in my company we get MSN 1015,till 1019,and the next poerter will coming soon🥰

[@tianyangsun8107]

I cried.

[@buenaondafilms05]

Hey Tianyang Sun, thank you for your sincere comment. It is the reason why I make films, to move people and deliver strong messages. Even if this film uses images of great action sports and aeronautical techniques, it's overall the deep dedication of passionate people that I wanted to show. And if it's not the reason why you were touched, then I am very curious to hear what moved you in particular with this story ☺️

[@tianyangsun8107]

Buena Onda Films Right on! The scene where they finally took the MZ back up again touched me the most. Its like a rebirth of an old friend.

[@aerocap]

@@buenaondafilms05 Quelle belle réponse et magnifique vidéo. C'est avion a en effet quelque chose d'attachant en plus de ses caractéristiques uniques.

[@wrightmf]

I didn't realize PC6 is that old, I remember it featured in the Mel Gibson movie where he flies one of these during the Vietnam war. I'm thinking after the rebuild of this airplane it is probably like a brand new airplane. They will fly for many decades just like the DC3 flew for decades after Douglas stopped producing them. Those wingsuit flyers are awesome but that's something I would never do (done a lot of skydiving), but people like that who push the boundaries but do it with careful planning is what advances skydiving. There was a time when flying formation with others was considered too dangerous but those that developed advanced skydiving to what it is nowadays.

[@sebastiennestolat9576]

It is flying like a baby, as Mike said ! ;) And as long as Icarius Aerotechnics will be around, there will be PC-6 in the sky !

[@SuperSrjones]

They are not all really totally old, I have changed wings flaps ailerons and stabilizer and elevators and undercarriage on one aircraft on a major overhaul, hardly the same plane any more.

[@ClearedAsFiled]

Just an awesome airplane.....what is Mike Zulu doing today in 2024????

[@seansky2721]

A moving story about a timeless airplane. I wonder what Pilatus will come up with as a follow on the the Turbo Porter? An airplane that doesn't last as long would be better for the sales department. LMAO!

[@SuperSrjones]

Porters are fabulous. I have replaced a fuselage on one that was badly twisted. Pilatus sent us an insurance spare, There is not much left of a Porter in the repair bay when you strip the fuselage completely of all its bits and put them in the parts cage for reassembly. I have modified wings from commercial to Military with hard points for rockets, that is a bit of a job. I do not like stripping the sealant out of the fuel tanks, that is a bastard of a job.

[@Supersonicfifi2010]

I jumped from the most powerfull one in Le LUC... in France... engine swap..... i Wonder if it was this one....

[@buenaondafilms05]

Hi Philippe, I am not 100% sure, but I think you are talking about the PC6 of Icarius (shown @6'10 in the film). Mike did an engine swap on this one a few years back.

[@soconnoriv]

ya’ll are 25 years behind. Pierce Bronsnan did this by himself in 1995

[@bruwalter8141]

Trim neutral before take-off is very important.

[@karlheaton3848]

there was one other plane that could do it performance wise, Draco. I've flown a porter before and it was one of the most flattering aircraft to fly, no bad habits very predictable.

[@pradiptanugraha6410]

mike patey's draco?

[@karlheaton3848]

@@pradiptanugraha6410 Yes, but it just doest have the doors for the job.

[@lanfrancopignoli5553]

It is sad that PC6 is not more in production, Is there a replacement?

[@sebastiennestolat9576]

Yes indeed Lanfranco, and I don't think there is any real replacement for this mythic airplane...

[@pederolsen1850]

@@sebastiennestolat9576 no replacement is coming from Pilatus. We bought two of them and two PC12's for work two years ago. The Porter doesn't make a lot of sense anymore. The airframe is somewhat delicate for what it does, limited capacity compared to something like the Kodiak. It's fucking slow, helicopter slow. With wing tanks we struggle to do 100 knots. Likewise the -27 it comes with from the factory is comparatively underpowered. Awesome and unique aircraft, and great for some very niche industries, but it needed an update 20 years ago. Would love to see one with a Honeywell TPE331-12JR. 900hp on a Porter would be fully erect.

[@sebastiennestolat9576]

Well @@pederolsen1850 for sure you know better than I do ;) I'm just a filmmaker who loves planes, and was willing to tell the amazing story of Mike Zulu. Thank you very much for those info !

[@Admiral_General_Aladeen_1]

And it's from my country :)

[@robertneven7563]

I dit much more than 400 jumps out off the PIL

[@baloobear70]

There is only type of plane within talent like Russian Antonov-2 - Pilatus Porter. I'd like to operate that. And I good-envy who can do.

[@lodisish]

I love the plane, but what's up with the fake tools sounds lol?

[@user-wz2qe2pv6r]

Why did it crash?

[@buenaondafilms05]

The crash is believed to have been caused by either the pilot's poor judgment or engine failure on approach to the runway. However, this information needs to be verified.

[@stevehall5299]

Absolutely phenomenal job ,huge credit to everybody involved ,never say never and you rescued the icon 👏 ❤

[@nuclearTANK]

For England James

[@josesbox9555]

If money were no object...

[@Chikyel]

Why the hell do you put a bull in the map? The accident was in Catalonia, and there, the bull fighting is already banned for many years.

[@jdeandresarp]

y Cataluña está dentro de un hermoso país que se llama España y nos guste o no el toro es uno de nuestros símbolos más iconos. Tampoco entiendo como alguien ve un toro y lo relaciona inmediatamente con una corrida de toros

[@alibildi9267]

I'm sick of this

[@DaveyCrockett001]

I watched a yahoo haul 2000 lbs in a PC-6 out of Ross River YT to a ice strip in the NWT like nothing. He was outhauling a DH-6 - 100 series. Illegally too I might add.

[@callieniemann2280]

Beautiful aircraft

[@DaveyCrockett001]

I watched a yahoo haul 2000 lbs in a PC-6 out of Ross River YT to a ice strip in the NWT like nothing. He was outhauling a DH-6 - 100 series. Illegally too I might add.