The CJ3+ progression of single-pilot jets from Cessna operates with a faster cruising speed and improved takeoff and landing performance than its predecessor; its takeoff and landing capabilities are among the best in its class. [2] The Cessna 408 Skycourier is a twin-turboprop, high-wing, utility aircraft under development by Textron Aviation. Cessna SkyCourier user+1@localho… Fri, 05/17/2019 – 21:17 The Cessna SkyCourier is a twin-engine, high-wing, large-utility turboprop airplane that is being developed by the Wichita, Kansas-based manufacturer. Cessna SkyCourier will feature the popular Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite and offer highlights such as a maximum cruise speed of up to 200 ktas and a maximum range of 900 nm. The first flight was originally planned for 2019 and first deliveries anticipated in 2020. The Cessna SkyCourier will be offered in various configurations including a 6,000-pound payload capable freighter and a 19-seat passenger version, all based on the common platform. The airframe is constructed from conventional aluminum materials and will be powered by two Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6A-65 turboprop engines with 1,100 horsepower of thrust each. The Cessna SkyCourier took off from the company’s plant in Beech Field Airport, piloted by Corey Eckhart, senior test pilot, and Aaron Tobias, chief test pilot. Both freighter and passenger variants will include single-point pressure refuelling as standard to enable faster turnarounds. The single-point pressure refueling capability coupled with rugged … On May 17, 2020, the SkyCourier took its first flight from Beech Factory Airport, with its senior test pilot Corey Eckhart and chief test pilot Aaron Tobias. Cessna SkyCourier will feature the popular Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite and offer highlights such as a maximum cruise speed of up to 200 ktas and a maximum range of 900 nm. [9] The SkyCourier is a twin- turboprop, high-wing, utility aircraft . The Cessna SkyCourier took off from the company’s east campus Beech Field Airport, piloted by Corey Eckhart, senior test pilot, and Aaron Tobias, chief test pilot. Images: Cessna SkyCourier engine run 1 Scheduled to enter service in 2020, aircraft are available in cargo and passenger versions for high utilization operations. The Cessna SkyCourier took off from the company’s east campus Beech Field Airport, piloted by Corey Eckhart, senior test pilot, and Aaron Tobias, chief test pilot. Cessna 206 Stationair – high-wing, single piston-engined, six-seat utility aircraft in production since 1962; Cessna 208 Caravan – high-wing single-turboprop utility aircraft in production since 1984. FedEx plans to take monthly deliveries over four years starting in 2020, and a similar pace for a second batch, if it agrees to that option. [3], The SkyCourier is a twin-turboprop, high-wing, utility aircraft. [13] A third test aircraft first flew in September 2020. Textron Aviation has flown its second Cessna SkyCourier flight test aircraft, ten weeks after the prototype Cessna SkyCourier first took to the skies on 17 May. The airframe will be built from traditional aluminum materials and will be equipped with proven Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65 engines, fixed landing gear and Garmin G1000 avionics. Single-point refueling will speed turnarounds. A third Cessna SkyCourier test airplane made its first flight yesterday, marking the last of the aircraft designated for Textron Aviation’s flight-test program of the high-wing twin-turboprop. The SkyCourier departed the company’s Beech Field Airport (KBEC) east campus, with Corey Eckhart, senior test pilot at the controls assisted by Aaron Tobias, Cessna’s chief test pilot. The aircraft’s configuration was built to fit FedEx Express requirements. The SkyCourier is a twin-engine, high-wing, large utility turboprop built for high utilization operations. Both versions will provide single-point pressure refueling to allow faster turnarounds. The Skycourier was expected to enter into service in 2020. The Model 408 was launched on November 28, 2017 by Textron Aviation, with an introduction planned for 2020. [5] FedEx Express will be the launch customer, with an order of "50 cargo aircraft and options for 50 more". During the 2-hour and 15-minute flight, the team tested the aircraft’s performance, stability and control, as well as its propulsion, environmental, flight controls and avionics systems. The Cessna SkyCourier 408, a high-wing, twin-engine, utility turboprop “clean-sheet design” was announced Nov. 28 by parent company Textron Aviation. [12] The first flight was completed on May 17, 2020, operating from Beech Factory Airport for a 2-hour and 15-minute flight. The Cessna 408 SkyCourier is a clean-sheet, purpose designed twin-turboprop cargo aircraft for the launch customer FedEx with the specific use case to enable the carriage of 3 x LD3 shipping containers. He recently spoke with Airplane Geeks reporter-at-large Launchpad Marzari about the new Cessna SkyCourier which successfully completed its first flight recently. Both freighter and passenger variants of the Cessna SkyCourier will include single-point pressure refueling as standard to enable faster turnarounds. The Cessna SkyCourier is a twin-engine, high-wing, large-utility turboprop airplane being developed by Wichita, Kansas-based Textron Aviation. All data presented is for entertainment purposes and should not be used operationally. The second aircraft is ‘P1’, the first conforming production flight test aircraft. [8], Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era, Utility aircraft under development by Cessna, "First Cessna SkyCourier twin utility turboprop takes flight", "Textron Aviation unveils new large-utility turboprop, the Cessna SkyCourier; FedEx Express signs as launch customer for up to 100 aircraft", "Textron Aviation Adds Third SkyCourier to Program", "Textron Launches New SkyCourier Turboprop With Cargo, Pax Versions", "FedEx to be launch customer for new Cessna turboprop", "Textron Launches Cessna SkyCourier with 100-Plane Deal", "Textron launches Beech 1900-sized SkyCourier with FedEx order", "Textron Debuts SkyCourier Mockup in Pax Config", "Textron Aviation marks successful wing and fuselage mate of the first Cessna SkyCourier aircraft; begins next phase in development", "SkyCourier completes initial ground testing", "Testing, Testing: Second Cessna SkyCourier Flies", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cessna_408_SkyCourier&oldid=994172054, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Aircraft specs templates using more performance parameter, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 14 December 2020, at 12:47. Cessna SkyCourier will feature the popular Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite and offer highlights such as a maximum cruise speed of up to 200 ktas and a maximum range of 900 nm. Cessna 408 SkyCourier – high-wing twin-turboprop utility aircraft under … The Cessna SkyCourier took off from the company's east campus Beech Field Airport, piloted by Corey Eckhart, senior test pilot, and Aaron Tobias, chief test pilot. Cessna SkyCourier will feature the popular Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite and offer highlights such as a maximum cruise speed of up to 200 ktas and a maximum range of 900 nm. [2], The clean-sheet design should offer better cabin flexibility and payload capability, superior performance and lower operating costs than its competitors. The aircraft is a pressurized single-engine turboprop, with a maximum operating altitude of FL310, cruise speed of 285 KTAS and high-speed range of 1,600 nm (with one pilot and four passengers). Design. You can count on this jet to take your business and personal travel to new heights. The aircraft, piloted by Corey Eckhart, senior test pilot, and Aaron Tobias, chief test pilot, flew for more than two hours on its first flight. During the 2-hour and 15-minute flight, the aircraft was tested for its performance, stability and control, propulsion, environmental, flight controls and avionics systems. Odds are that the airplane will be designed for single-pilot operations in the cargo world, and will be flown with a crew for passenger flight. Compare Models; ... Cessna designed the all new Cessna SkyCourier™ turboprop for fully loaded high frequency operations and maximum efficiency. At 6,000 lbs, the Cessna SkyCourier 408 has more than twice the maximum payload of the Cessna 208B aircraft currently in FedEx’s fleet. [1] The second prototype first flew in August 2020. [7] The design will be certified to FAR Part 23 standards. The non-pressurized cabin will be 70 in (178 cm) tall and wide, with a flat floor and a 87 in (221 cm) cargo door. Cessna SkyCourier will feature the popular Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite and offer highlights such as a maximum cruise speed of up to 200 ktas and a maximum range of 900 nm. Both freighter and passenger variants of the Cessna SkyCourier will includer single-point pressure refueling as standard to enable faster turnarounds. [2][6], Initial wind tunnel tests were completed in March 2018. Big, boxy Cessna’s tend to be easy to fly, and the SkyCourier will likely be no different. Designed for high utilization, the Cessna SkyCourier is designed to deliver a … – Tweet this. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Username. The largest express transportation company in the world, FedEx Express has signed on as the launch customer for up to one hundred aircraft, with an initial fleet order of fifty cargo aircraft and options for an additional fifty. $5.5 million twin-turboprop aircraft as of 2020. [8] It took to the skies for the first time on May 17, 2020, powered by Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6A-65SC engines. The airframe is configured as … Both freighter and passenger variants of the Cessna SkyCourier will includer single-point pressure refueling as standard to enable faster turnarounds. In addition to freight, the SkyCourier can be configured with a commuter cabin with 19 passenger seats for reginal airliners.