Ground power unit guide for the Pilatus PC-12. 28V DC GPU specs, PT6A-67P start requirements, and equipment picks for the premium single-engine turboprop.
About the Pilatus PC-12
The Pilatus PC-12 is the Swiss-made turboprop that rewrote the rules of what a single-engine airplane could do. With a pressurized cabin that seats nine, a range exceeding 1,800 nm, and the ability to operate from unpaved strips under 2,500 feet, the PC-12 serves corporate flight departments, air ambulance operators, and special missions agencies worldwide. Its Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67P engine — the most powerful PT6 variant commonly found in single-engine aircraft — demands more ground power than lighter turboprops.
GPU Requirements
The PC-12's PT6A-67P is a significantly more powerful engine than the PT6A variants found in the Cessna Caravan or King Air 90, drawing 1,600 to 2,200 amps at peak during ground starts. The -67P's larger compressor section and higher operating temperatures mean the starter must overcome more rotational inertia during the start sequence. Continuous draw for the PC-12's Honeywell Primus Apex avionics (or ACE avionics in the NGX) and cabin systems runs 200 to 250 amps. Medevac-configured PC-12s with medical equipment draw at the upper end of continuous range.
Cold Weather Considerations
Swiss operators designed the PC-12 for Alpine conditions, and the aircraft handles cold weather well. However, the -67P engine still benefits from engine pre-heat below -15°C, and GPU sizing should target 2,000A+ for reliable winter starts at mountain airports where density altitude and temperature compound starting difficulty.
Recommended Ground Power Units
Battery Start Unit
Red Box RB75A
1,500A peak lithium GPU. Handles the PC-12's PT6A-67P in most conditions. Popular with PC-12 charter operators and corporate flight departments.
Combination GPU
Powervamp Coolspool 480
2,800A peak with 400A continuous output. Provides comfortable headroom above the PC-12's requirements and serves dual-purpose for start and maintenance power.
Battery Start Unit
Start Pac 2000
2,000A peak lithium unit. Matched to the PC-12's maximum start current. Portable enough for use at remote airstrips where the PC-12 frequently operates.
Need help choosing? See our GPU Sizing Guide for a step-by-step approach to matching ground power equipment to your aircraft, or compare options in our Best GPU 2026 roundup.
Related Equipment
Similar Aircraft
Frequently Asked Questions
What GPU does a PC-12 NGX need?
The PC-12 NGX uses the same PT6A-67P engine as earlier PC-12 models. GPU requirements are identical — 28V DC, 1,600 to 2,200A peak. The ACE avionics suite adds minimal additional electrical load compared to the Primus Apex system.
Is the PC-12 GPU requirement the same as the King Air?
Similar but slightly higher. The PC-12's PT6A-67P draws 1,600 to 2,200A peak, while the King Air 200 (PT6A-42) draws 1,500 to 2,000A. Both use 28V DC and NATO 3-pin connectors. A GPU sized for the PC-12 will start a King Air 200.
Can I carry a GPU inside the PC-12?
Yes. Compact lithium battery GPUs like the Start Pac 2000 are small and light enough to fit in the PC-12's baggage compartment. This is common practice for operators who fly to remote strips without ground support.