Cessna 408 SkyCourier

408 SkyCourier
Role Twin Turboprop aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Cessna
First flight mid 2019 (planned) [1]
Introduction 2020 (planned)[2]
Status Under development
Unit cost
$5.5 million[1]

The Cessna 408 SkyCourier is an American twin-turboprop, high-wing, utility aircraft under development by Cessna.

Development

Cessna 408 SkyCourier model shown at EBACE 2018

The model 408 was launched on 28 November 2017 by Textron Aviation, with an introduction planned for 2020.[2] The 408's design was developed to match FedEx Express requirements, like the earlier Cessna 208 Caravan.[3] FedEx Express will be the launch customer, with an order of "50 cargo aircraft and options for 50 more".[2]

Initial wind tunnel tests were completed in March 2018. The first flight is planned for 2019 and first deliveries anticipated in 2020.[4] The design will be certified to FAR Part 23 standards.[5] 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.[6]

Design

The SkyCourier is a twin-turboprop, high-wing, utility aircraft. It will be available in a 19-passenger variant with large cabin windows and separate crew and passenger doors, or in a cargo variant sized for three LD3s and 6,000 pounds of payload, featuring a "large cargo door and a flat floor cabin". It will cruise up to 200 kn (370 km/h), with a maximum range of 900 nmi (1,700 km). Single-point refueling will speed turnarounds.[2]

The clean-sheet design should offer better cabin flexibility and payload capability, superior performance and lower operating costs than its competitors.[2] 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. 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.[5]

Specifications

Data from Cessna[7]

General characteristics

  • Capacity: 19 passengers/5,000 lb (2,268 kg) payload (commuter) or 3×LD3s/6,000 lb (2,722 kg) payload (cargo)
  • Length: 54 ft 10 in (16.71 m)
  • Wingspan: 72 ft 0 in (21.95 m)
  • Height: 19 ft 9 in (6.02 m)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65SC turboprop, 1,100 hp (820 kW) each
  • Propellers: 4-bladed McCauley

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 230 mph; 370 km/h (200 kn) maximum
  • Range: 460 mi; 741 km (400 nmi) Cargo Range (with 5,000 lb payload)
  • Ferry range: 1,036 mi; 1,667 km (900 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 25,000 ft (7,600 m)
  • Takeoff Distance : 3,300 ft (1,006 m)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References

  1. 1 2 Molly McMillin (Nov 28, 2017). "Textron Launches New SkyCourier Turboprop With Cargo, Pax Versions". Aviation Week Network.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Textron Aviation unveils new large-utility turboprop, the Cessna SkyCourier; FedEx Express signs as launch customer for up to 100 aircraft" (Press release). Textron Aviation Inc. Nov 28, 2017.
  3. ↑ Bertorelli, Paul (30 November 2017). "Cessna And FedEx Renew Their Vows". AVweb. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
  4. ↑ Grady, Mary (13 March 2018). "Textron Reports On SkyCourier Progress". AVweb. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  5. 1 2 Kerry Lynch (November 28, 2017). "Textron Launches Cessna SkyCourier with 100-Plane Deal". AIN.
  6. ↑ Stephen Trimble (28 Nov 2017). "Textron launches Beech 1900-sized SkyCourier with FedEx order". Flightglobal.
  7. ↑ "SkyCourier". Cessna.
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