Textron Aviation marked a key milestone in the development of its
Cessna SkyCourier twin utility turboprop, announcing Thursday that it
successfully mated the wings to the fuselage of the first prototype aircraft.
“As expected, the operation was sound as the wings were secured on the
fuselage, and the new Cessna SkyCourier took another major step in its
development,” said Chris Hearne, Textron Aviation's senior vice president of
programs and engineering.
The Wichita airframer added the SkyCourier program is “progressing
considerably” in the assembly of the prototype and five other flight and ground
test articles as well as testing of its landing gear and avionics. The first
flight is expected in 2020.
FedEx is the launch customer for the SkyCourier, with 50 firm orders
for the airplane and options for 50 more. Configurable for both cargo and
commuter operations, it is designed to carry a payload of up to 6,000 pounds
with an 87-inch cargo door, a flat floor, and a nearly 70-inch-tall and -wide
cabin to accept three standard LD3 air cargo containers.
In a passenger configuration, it will have
seating for up to 19 passengers, with a netted rear cabin area for luggage and
equipment. Capable of flying 200 ktas, the aircraft is powered by
two 1,100-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65SC turboprop engines and
two new 110-inch McCauley propellers.
Ingen kommentarer:
Legg inn en kommentar
Merk: Bare medlemmer av denne bloggen kan legge inn en kommentar.