The first prototype made its maiden flight on 4 May 1959 powered by a 254 kW (340-shp) piston engine. The first Turbo Porter, powered by a turboprop, flew in 1961. The Turbo Porter received an engine upgrade in 1963, which increased its power to its present value of 410 kW (550-shp).

In the United States, the Porter was manufactured under license by Fairchild Hiller. In service with the U.S. Air Force, it received the designation AU-23A Peacemaker. In U.S. Army use, it was designated UV-20 Chiricahua.

The PC-6 is famous in the aviation world for its Short Take-off and Landing (STOL) performance on almost any type of terrain - it can take-off within a distance of 195 metres (640 ft) and land within a distance of 130 metres (427 ft) while carrying a payload of 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) (The length of a soccer field is enough, Pilatus test pilots were able to land on not much more than 50 metres (164 ft) of space). Thanks to its STOL performance, the PC-6 holds the world record for highest landing by a fixed wing aircraft, at 5,750 metres (18,865 ft), on the Dhaulagiri glacier in Nepal.

Outstanding capability in rough conditions is achieved through low-pressure tires, twin-clipper disc brakes and an undercarriage with high bump absorption. With its high wing and propeller ground clearance, the PC-6 is much less exposed to damage from rough airstrips than aircraft with a conventional nosewheel-type undercarriage.

The Air Force procured 6 Turbo Porters in 1976, and at the same time the already operated piston-engined Porters underwent modifications whereby the new high performance turbo-propeller turbines were installed (PC-6 retrofit).

The Swiss Air Force utilizes the Pilatus Porter PC-6 as a light transport category aircraft. Its robust design and short-field take-off and landing capability allows it to operate in nearly every region.

Today the Porter serves mainly as a transport aircraft for personnel and equipment and is further utilized in scouting operations and in the dropping of paratroopers. The Porter also aids in combating forest fires with the aid of a built-in water tank. In the event of a war the Porters will be incorporated into a utility aircraft squadron.

The Swiss operate a total of 15 PC-6s, from the original total of 17, 2 Porters got lost in accidents.