Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, today announced it has completed initial wind tunnel testing of its new twin-engine Cessna SkyCourier turboprop. Results from comprehensive wind tunnel tests will provide performance and aerodynamic characteristics and structural load data, further finalizing the aircraft design.
“For the initial wind tunnel testing, we use a custom, precision model with electric motors and scaled propellers calibrated to represent the thrust produced by the real aircraft,” said Brad Thress, senior vice president, Engineering. “We’re making outstanding progress in the development of this clean-sheet aircraft and are eager to continue defining the details that will allow us to start creating tools and parts.”
Since Textron Aviation announced the Cessna SkyCourier in November 2017, the company has seen tremendous interest from operators looking for a modern solution in the large twin-utility space. As part of the aircraft’s design development, the company is garnering feedback from its Customer Advisory Board – empowering operators to affirm what customers need in this segment.
“The flexibility and mission potential for the Cessna SkyCourier is attractive to a wide variety of operators,” said Thress. “The feedback we’re gathering from the CAB is extremely important as we develop an aircraft that is reliable, efficient and meets the diverse requirements of an array of mission profiles.”
The company is anticipating first flight of the Cessna SkyCourier in 2019 with entry into service in 2020.
The Cessna SkyCourier is a twin-engine, high-wing, large utility turboprop that will offer a combination of high performance and low operating costs for air freight, commuter and special mission operators. The freighter variant will feature a large cargo door and a flat floor cabin that is sized to handle up to three LD3 shipping containers with an impressive 6,000 pounds of maximum payload capability. The aircraft will also afford a maximum cruise speed of up to 200 ktas and a 900 nautical-mile maximum range.
The efficient 19-passenger variant will include crew and passenger doors for smooth boarding, as well as large cabin windows for great natural light and views. Both configurations will offer single-point pressure refueling to enable faster turnarounds. The aircraft will be powered by two wing-mounted Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65SC turboprop engines, and operated with Garmin G1000 NXi avionics.
The Cessna SkyCourier will be backed by Textron Aviation’s service network, a world leader in commuter, cargo and special mission fleet support.
Visit the Cessna SkyCourier website to learn more about the company’s newest product.
For Textron Aviation’s latest news, visit the online newsroom.
Contact details
-
- Duane Frazier
-
Textron Aviation Business Aircraft -
Piston and Turboprops - DFrazier2@txtav.com
- +1.316.517.1114
Related Topics
Related Stories
Eighth Special Olympics Airlift by Textron Aviation takes flight today
This morning, more than 120 Textron Aviation aircraft will depart from 28 states across the United States and land at Orlando Executive Airport with Special Olympics athletes and coaches ...
Textron Aviation announces first European customer for Cessna Citation M2 Gen2
Textron Aviation today announced at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland, that Luxaviation Group is the first European customer for the Ce...
Textron Aviation achieves EASA certification on Cessna Citation XLS Gen2, first European delivery...
Textron Aviation today announced at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland, that it has earned European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) type c...
Textron Aviation celebrates first delivery of the new Cessna SkyCourier to launch customer FedEx ...
Textron Aviation today announced the first delivery of the Cessna SkyCourier twin utility turboprop to FedEx Express. This is the first of 50 freighter aircraft that global logistics firm...
Cessna Citation XLS Gen2 achieves FAA certification, begins deliveries
The latest update to the best-selling midsize business jet family of the 21st century has entered into service. Textron Aviation has achieved Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type ce...