Textron Aviation has announced the rollout of the first production unit of the new Cessna twin-engine, large-utility turboprop, the SkyCourier.
The SkyCourier is a clean sheet design intended for cargo and passengers use.
Ron Draper, president and CEO, Textron Aviation, said, “Today is a rewarding day for our employees who have worked to design and build what I believe will become a legendary airplane for our company.
“The SkyCourier brings an impressive combination of cabin flexibility, payload capability, performance and low operating costs to the twin engine utility segment. We look forward to this highly versatile aircraft entering the market very soon.”
Launch customer FedEx Express and other members of Textron’s Customer Advisory Board were key in shaping the aircraft’s design, from manufacturing methods and materials, to product features and serviceability.
Textron says production of the SkyCourier incorporates many of the latest advancements in aircraft manufacturing, including the use of monolithic machining throughout the airframe.
With this technique, major assemblies are milled from a single piece of metal rather than assembled from smaller pieces, reducing the overall number of parts and resulting in a more precise tolerances for easier assembly.
To aid maintenance, the SkyCourier features quick access points throughout the aircraft for inspection and repairs. The team also developed innovative patent-pending quick release seats and overhead bins that can be installed quickly by a single operator.
The SkyCourier had its maiden flight in May 2020, and the flight test programme’s three aircraft have accumulated more than 2,100 hours. Certification is anticipated in the first half of 2022 when this first production unit will be delivered to the launch customer.
FedEx Express, has agreed to purchase up to 100 aircraft, with an initial fleet order of 50 cargo aircraft and options for 50 more.
The Cessna SkyCourier twin-engine, high-wing turboprop offers a combination of performance and lower operating costs for air freight, passenger and special mission operators.
In addition to the freight version, there is a 19-passenger variant of the SkyCourier that includes crew and passenger doors for smooth boarding, as well as large cabin windows for natural light and views. Both configurations offer single-point pressure refuelling to enable faster turnarounds.
The aircraft is powered by two wing-mounted Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65SC turboprop engines and features the McCauley Propeller C779, a heavy-duty and reliable 110-inch aluminum four-blade propeller, which is full feathering with reversible pitch, designed to enhance the performance of the aircraft while hauling tremendous loads.
The SkyCourier has Garmin G1000 NXi avionics. Performance figures released so far suggest a maximum cruise speed of more than 200ktas and a 900nm maximum range. The aircraft has a large door and a flat floor cabin sized to hold up to three LD3 shipping containers with 6,000 pounds of payload capability.