PC6 Pilatus Porter Himalaya Swiss Dhaulagiri Expedition 1960 "Yeti" HB-FANP

The Pilatus Commercial No. 6 project, the PC-6 Porter, was undoubtedly the aircraft that carried the Pilatus name out into the world. The Porter had its maiden flight in 1959 and in the same year Pilatus presented the aircraft at the Paris Air Show, which was the starting signal for an international career. In March 1960, Pilatus supported the Swiss Himalayan expedition with the strikingly painted PC-6 named Yeti. This generated worldwide publicity. Especially the landings in the Himalayan region at an altitude of 5700 meters. This resulted in a world record that is still valid today and an entry in the Guinness Book of Records.

2023: and history is made again! The last remaining airworthy piston engine Porter was brought back to Switzerland from the USA. The team led by the two entrepreneurs Peter Daetwyler and Beat Roos subjected the aircraft to a two-year total overhaul. Well over 6000 hours were invested by the eight-strong team with the aim of getting the Porter with the registration HB-FAN "Yeti" back in the air. As they are all perfectionists, this project was successful at the first attempt. Since then, the Yeti has been an attraction at numerous airshows.