Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, today unveiled the new full-scale Cessna SkyCourier mockup at the 2018 National Business Aviation Association’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Orlando, Florida. The cabin mockup on display at this year’s event offers a preview into the Cessna SkyCourier’s passenger options and standard features.
“The Cessna SkyCourier was engineered to be a versatile, heavy utilization turboprop with significant payload to undertake a variety of missions,” said Rob Scholl, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing. “We’re excited for customers and NBAA attendees to experience many of the aircraft’s distinctive features firsthand.”
Combining form and function, the passenger configuration of the Cessna SkyCourier cabin offers seating for up to 19 with a generous, 32-inch (80 cm) seat pitch and separate entry doors for passengers and crew. Inside the aircraft, a netted rear cabin cargo area can accommodate luggage and equipment, and optional overhead baggage compartments provide additional storage space onboard. USB charging ports are located throughout the seating area, and large windows add natural light for greater comfort onboard.
“Since announcing the Cessna SkyCourier last year, we’ve seen continued interest from operators searching for a modern utility aircraft capable of flexible operations and configurations,” Scholl noted. “Their feedback has enabled us to optimize many of the aircraft’s features, allowing us to deliver a mission-ready platform.”
About the Cessna SkyCourier
The Cessna SkyCourier is a twin-engine, high-wing, large utility turboprop designed to deliver a combination of robust performance and low operating costs for air freight, commuter and special missions operators.
In addition to the passenger configuration on display at NBAA, Textron Aviation also designed a separate freighter variant of the turboprop to offer a maximum payload of 6,000 pounds and capable of accommodating up to three LD3 shipping containers. Powered by two wing-mounted Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65SC turboprop engines and operated with Garmin G1000 NXi avionics, the Cessna SkyCourier features a maximum cruise speed of up to 200 ktas and delivers a maximum range of 900 nautical miles.
Both freighter and passenger variants of the Cessna SkyCourier will offer single-point pressure refueling to enable faster turnarounds.
Earlier this year, the company completed initial wind tunnel testing, propelling the aircraft into a new phase of development. Initial build of the aircraft’s main landing gear and nose gear is now underway. Textron Aviation anticipates first flight of the Cessna SkyCourier in 2019 with entry into service in 2020.
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