Cessna SkyCourier
Begins Final Phase of Flight Testing The certification flight test phase of
the Cessna SkyCourier development program has begun after the twin-turboprop
checked off a number of milestones and continues its march toward FAA type
approval and first deliveries later this year. So far, Textron Aviation’s fleet
of three SkyCourier flight test vehicles (FTV) has accumulated more than 700
hours since the first flight of the high-wing airplane in May 2020. Other milestones completed since the
third SkyCourier FTV entered testing late last year are extreme hot and
cold weather testing; bird-strike testing, including eight separate tests over
a two-month period; certification of the Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65SC engine
through Transport Canada Civil Aviation, with FAA approval expected soon; and
natural icing certification. “The aircraft has performed exceptionally
well through every phase of testing, and we’re pleased by its progress,” said
Textron Aviation senior v-p of engineering and programs Chris Hearne. “With the
start of the certification flight test phase, we are entering one of the most
important phases of the SkyCourier program.”
In addition to the
flight-testing milestones, production final assembly of the SkyCourier will
start this month at the airframer’s east Wichita campus. Launch customer for
the airplane—which can be configured for cargo or passenger operations, or a
combination of the two—is FedEx. The package carrier has firm orders for 50
SkyCouriers, along with options for another 50.
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