Textron Aviation Rolls Out First Production Cessna SkyCourier Large-Utility Turboprop, Highlights Innovations in Manufacturing and Serviceability
February 04 2022 - 10:00AM
Business Wire
Textron Aviation today announced the rollout of the first
production unit of the twin-engine, large-utility turboprop, the
Cessna SkyCourier, at the company’s manufacturing facility in
Wichita. The new, clean-sheet design has allowed for the
incorporation of the latest state-of-the-art assembly and
fabrication processes and techniques into the manufacturing of the
aircraft.
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The Textron Aviation team celebrates the
rollout of the first production unit of the new Cessna SkyCourier.
(Photo: Business Wire)
The Cessna SkyCourier is designed and produced by Textron
Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company.
“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,” said Ron Draper, president and CEO, Textron
Aviation. “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.”
From the SkyCourier’s inception, launch customer FedEx Express
and other members of Textron Aviation’s Customer Advisory Board
were instrumental in shaping the aircraft’s design, from
manufacturing methods and materials, to product features and
serviceability. Textron Aviation’s highly skilled employees
incorporated this feedback and found opportunities to maximize
quality and precision, while meeting and exceeding customer
expectations.
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.
Designed with serviceability at the forefront, 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 celebrated its inaugural flight in May 2020, and
the flight test program’s three aircraft have accumulated more than
2,100 hours. Following certification, which is anticipated in the
first half of 2022, this first production unit will be delivered to
the launch customer, FedEx Express, which has agreed to purchase up
to 100 aircraft, with an initial fleet order of 50 cargo aircraft
and options for 50 more.
About the Cessna SkyCourier
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 refueling 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 is operated with Garmin G1000 NXi avionics
and has a maximum cruise speed of more than 200 ktas. The
SkyCourier has a 900 nautical-mile maximum range. The aircraft
features a large door and a flat floor cabin that is sized to
handle up to three LD3 shipping containers with an impressive 6,000
pounds of payload capability.
About Textron Aviation
We inspire the journey of flight. For more than 90 years,
Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company, has empowered our
collective talent across the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands
to design and deliver the best aviation experience for our
customers. With a range that includes everything from business
jets, turboprops, and high-performance pistons, to special mission,
military trainer and defense products, Textron Aviation has the
most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the
world and a workforce that has produced more than half of all
general aviation aircraft worldwide. Customers in more than 170
countries rely on our legendary performance, reliability and
versatility, along with our trusted global customer service
network, for affordable and flexible flight.
For more information, visit www.txtav.com |
www.defense.txtav.com | www.scorpionjet.com.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its
global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance
businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and
services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands
such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex,
Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation +
Training. For more information, visit: www.textron.com.
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking
statements which may project revenues or describe strategies,
goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements
speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake
no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.
These statements are subject to known and unknown risks,
uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results
to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the
efficacy of research and development investments to develop new
products or unanticipated expenses in connection with the launching
of significant new products or programs; the timing of our new
product launches or certifications of our new aircraft products;
our ability to keep pace with our competitors in the introduction
of new products and upgrades with features and technologies desired
by our customers; changes in government regulations or policies on
the export and import of our products; volatility in the global
economy or changes in worldwide political conditions that adversely
impact demand for our products; performance issues with key
suppliers or subcontractors; and cancellations or deferrals of
orders.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220204005260/en/
Media: Keturah Austin +1.316.517.0437 kaustin@txtav.com
txtav.com
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