Cessna SkyCourier demand drives expansion of Textron Aviation flight test operations

Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced the completed expansion of its flight test hangar on the company’s East Wichita Campus, increasing capacity to support growing global demand for the Cessna SkyCourier and continued development activity across its turboprop portfolio. The 57,000‑square‑foot expansion adds six new hangar bays on the north side of the facility, significantly increasing capacity for flight test operations as activity continues to accelerate for the twin‑engine, large utility SkyCourier. The expanded footprint will also support ongoing flight test and entry‑into‑service work for the Beechcraft Denali.

“As demand for the Cessna SkyCourier continues to grow across commercial, cargo and special missions markets, it’s critical that our facilities and teams are positioned to support that momentum,” said Lannie O’Bannion, senior vice president, Sales & Marketing. “By investing in additional flight test capacity, we are strengthening our ability to efficiently support development today and as demand continues to expand.”

Designed for versatility, the Cessna SkyCourier serves commercial passenger, cargo and special missions operators with multiple configurations and mission‑ready performance. As the aircraft expands into defense and special missions applications, including its first military order, recent enhancements such as an In‑flight Operable Door option further extend its operational flexibility across a broad range of missions.

From an operational standpoint, the expanded facility allows flight test teams to move more efficiently between aircraft preparation, data collection and evaluation, an important advantage as the SkyCourier supports an increasing range of missions and test requirements.

“With more space and flexibility, our teams can run multiple test profiles in parallel and turn aircraft more efficiently,” said Brad White, senior vice president, Manufacturing Operations. “That capability is critical as the SkyCourier supports a growing range of real‑world missions for operators around the globe.”

The expanded facility also reflects Textron Aviation’s ongoing commitment to responsible operations, incorporating energy‑efficient LED lighting and high‑efficiency systems designed to reduce energy consumption while supporting demanding flight test activity.

About the Cessna SkyCourier   

The twin-engine, high-wing Cessna SkyCourier turboprop offers a combination of performance and lower operating costs for air freight, commuter and special mission operators around the world. The Cessna SkyCourier is offered in two variants—the freighter and the passenger—along with optional kits that allow the aircraft to be configured from passenger to freighter, or in a Combi configuration that accommodates up to nine passengers while carrying freight.

The freighter variant is sized to handle up to three LD3 shipping containers with a payload capacity of 6,000 pounds, while the 19‑passenger variant features large cabin windows for natural light and views. Both versions offer single‑point pressure refueling to enable faster turnarounds and feature two crew doors and a large side door used for cargo loading or passenger boarding, depending on the configuration.

The SkyCourier is powered by two wing-mounted Pratt & Whitney Canada 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 is operated with Garmin G1000 NXi avionics and has a maximum cruise speed of more than 200 ktas and a 900 nautical-mile maximum range.