The Pilatus PC-24 Enters French Navy Service: A New Era Forged in Swiss Alliance.

A New Era for the French Navy and Pilatus

The French Navy’s adoption of the Pilatus PC-24 “Super Versatile Jet” marks a pivotal moment in European military aviation. Under a leasing contract managed by Jet Aviation France, three PC-24 aircraft will be delivered beginning February 2026, making France the first European military operator of this multi-mission Swiss jet. This modernization replaces the Dassault Falcon 10 MER, which has served faithfully since 1973. Over fifty years of operations have proven the Falcon’s agility and reliability, but aging avionics and maintenance costs demanded a modern successor, one that combines speed, ruggedness, and twenty-first-century avionics.

For AirWise Executive Flight Support, headquartered at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (LFMN), the announcement also symbolizes the expanding intersection between civil business aviation and government operations. AirWise, a licensed local supervision provider with full airside access, already manages movements ranging from VIP charters to military and cargo flights across the French Riviera, and the arrival of the PC-24 fleet only reinforces the region’s role in European aviation logistics.

From Falcon 10 MER to Pilatus PC-24 — A Leap Forward

The Falcon 10 MER was a legend of its era, compact, fast, and perfectly suited to the Navy’s training and liaison needs. Yet by 2024, the fleet’s analog systems and high-intensity maintenance had become limiting factors.Enter the Pilatus PC-24, an aircraft designed for adaptability. With single-pilot certification, approval for unpaved runways, and a large cargo door, it can conduct multiple mission profiles — from instrument-flight-rule (IFR) pilot training to logistical transport or medevac operations.

The PC-24’s Pilatus Advanced Cockpit Environment (ACE), developed with Honeywell, replaces legacy analog dials with a fully digital flight interface, enhancing safety and reducing pilot workload. Its range of 3 610 km and cruise speed of 787 km/h allow the Navy to operate between domestic and European bases without refueling.

The aircraft will be assigned to 57S Squadron at Landivisiau, supporting France’s modernization strategy and the wider objective to double defense spending by 2027.

Jet Aviation and Pilatus: Precision and Partnership

The program is the result of close collaboration between Jet Aviation France and Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Jet Aviation serves as prime contractor, handling line and base maintenance, airworthiness management (CAMO), and long-term fleet sustainment. Pilatus provides comprehensive factory support through its CrystalCare program, ensuring predictive maintenance and minimal downtime.“We are delighted to see the PC-24 selected for the French Navy’s operational needs, highlighting its unique capabilities as a flexible and reliable platform for government missions,” said Ioannis Papachristofilou, Vice President – Government Aviation at Pilatus.

Jeremie Caillet, President of Jet Aviation, added: “Our collaboration with the DMAé (Direction de la Maintenance Aéronautique) and Pilatus has produced an acquisition and sustainment program that meets the Navy’s exact requirements in aircraft performance, maintenance, and fleet preparation.”

This partnership demonstrates how private-sector precision and government mission requirements can align , a model increasingly adopted across Europe’s aviation ecosystem.

AirWise and the French Riviera’s Role in Support Operations

The French Riviera’s airports — Nice (LFMN), Toulon-Hyères (LFTH), and Marseille (LFML) — will inevitably see the new PC-24 jets transiting for liaison, training, and special-mission operations. Each movement demands flawless coordination with local authorities, customs, and ramp personnel.

Here, AirWise Executive Flight Support plays a critical local role. Its accredited team provides:

• On-site flight supervision and ramp management for state and military flights.

• Slot and parking coordination through DSNA/CDM systems.

• Crew and passenger assistance, customs escort, and secure transfers.

• Catering and logistics coordination via its Riviera concierge branch.

By combining military-grade precision with business-aviation efficiency, AirWise ensures that every government or training mission across the Riviera is handled seamlessly, 24 hours a day.

Technical and Enthusiast Insights

1. Inside the Cockpit: Pilatus Engineering Precision

The Pilatus ACE cockpit is built around the Honeywell Primus Apex avionics suite, integrating synthetic-vision technology, auto-throttle, and tactile flight-path feedback for real-time aerodynamic awareness.Its glass displays offer wide-format situational views and customizable layouts, similar to those found in high-end jets such as the Falcon 2000 or Gulfstream G280, yet optimized for single-pilot use. The system is ideal for IFR training and low-visibility operations, enabling pilots to practice advanced procedures safely and intuitively.

For professional aviators and enthusiasts, the PC-24’s cockpit merges jet-level avionics with the handling feel of a turboprop trainer, making it one of the most balanced flight decks in its class.

2. From Falcon 10 MER to Pilatus PC-24: Evolution in Motion

The replacement of the Falcon 10 MER by the PC-24 encapsulates half a century of technological evolution. The Falcon, entirely analog and manually flown, embodied 1970s engineering elegance; the PC-24, digital and modular, represents modern mission adaptability.Composite materials reduce weight, integrated maintenance diagnostics cut downtime, and fuel efficiency increases range while lowering costs.Where the Falcon required dedicated configurations for each task, the PC-24 can be re-equipped for training, cargo, or medevac in mere hours, a flexibility crucial for today’s dynamic defense environment.

3. From Alps to Sea: Performance Without Borders

The PC-24’s short-field capability , take-off distance ≈ 820 m and landing approval on grass or gravel strips — allows operations from airfields typically off-limits to jets.Within France alone, the aircraft can access Courchevel (LFLJ), Propriano (LFKO), or secondary naval sites near Istres (LFMI) and Landivisiau. Its 3 610 km range enables missions from Brest to Athens nonstop, supporting pilot training or liaison operations without logistical delays.This combination of reach and rough-field performance illustrates why the PC-24 is redefining what a light military jet can accomplish.

4. The Future of Multi-Mission Jets in Europe

Across Europe, defense forces are embracing multi-mission light jets that blend business-jet efficiency with tactical readiness. Aircraft like the PC-24, Citation M2 Gen2, and HondaJet Elite II are being adopted for liaison, border patrol, surveillance, and medical evacuation tasks.Their lower hourly operating cost and small-crew requirements allow flexible deployment even for mid-sized forces.The French Navy’s program therefore signals a broader European shift — toward lighter, smarter, more adaptable aircraft able to perform multiple missions under one airframe, optimizing both cost and capability.

5. Beyond 2026: Pilatus and the Swiss Design Philosophy

By 2026, when the first PC-24 joins active French service, Pilatus will have proven that Swiss precision engineering can deliver both luxury and military functionality.The manufacturer’s philosophy — “simple systems, strong performance, and field accessibility” — is consistent across the PC-12, PC-21, and now the PC-24.High-altitude capability, robust landing gear, and a customizable cabin make it equally suited to a general’s inspection flight or a humanitarian evacuation.

Beyond its technical prowess, the PC-24 embodies a cultural ideal: the merging of craftsmanship and mission practicality. Just as Switzerland’s watchmakers perfected mechanical harmony, Pilatus engineers have achieved operational harmony in the sky.

Final Thoughts

The Pilatus PC-24 is more than a new aircraft , it represents the convergence of innovation, versatility, and European cooperation.For the French Navy, it ensures readiness and training excellence; for Jet Aviation France and Pilatus, it validates decades of engineering and maintenance expertise; and for the French Riviera’s aviation ecosystem, it reflects a future where civil precision and military purpose meet seamlessly.

✉️ For operational supervision, slot coordination, or government-flight assistance at Nice (LFMN), Marseille (LFML), or Toulon (LFTH), please contact: fbo.nce@airwiseexecutive.com