Cessna SkyCourier (Model 408)

History

Textron Aviation announced in November 2017 that its new high-wing transport aircraft "SkyCourier" (Type 408) will be produced under the Cessna brand. The aircraft is designed to take a market position between light compact transport models and more expensive medium transport companies.

The design is a fresh take on the company, developed with the help of FedEx. In return, FedEx committed to becoming a launch customer for the Cessna SkyCourier, placing an order for 100 aircraft (an initial order of 50, with an option to order 50 more).

The new product is functionally similar to the existing Cessna "Caravan" (Type 208), but is upsized to increase capacity in the growing freight market. Introduced in 1984, the Caravan series entered service today (2017) with around 2,500 units produced - notably, FedEx is one of their top carriers.

For now, the SkyCourier has a twin-engine configuration with the nacelle mounted on a supported elevated (straight) main aircraft, allowing for proper ground clearance and excellent lift characteristics. Fixed tricycle landing gear for ground operation. The crew sat side by side behind the short nose cone and had a clear view of what was going on ahead.

The empennage employs a single vertical stabilizer and a high-level horizontal plane (classic multi-hop "T-tail").

Internally, the SkyCourier will have flexible configuration capabilities, meaning it can be outfitted with cargo or passengers according to customer preferences. Holds up to three LD3 class containers with a maximum cargo weight of 6,000 lbs. Extra-wide 87" x 69" doors allow easy access for cargo in and out of the aircraft. In a passenger-oriented single-aisle configuration (2x1 side-by-side seating), it offers 19 seats with a maximum combined weight (including luggage) of 5,000 lbs.

Up to 8 large viewing ports dot the sides of the hull and an entry door is installed aft of the port side. Pilots have separate car-style doors in the nose for entry and exit.

In terms of dimensions, the aircraft has an overall length of 54.9 feet, a wingspan of 72 feet, and a height of 19.8 feet. It will cruise at speeds of up to 200 knots and have a range of up to 900 nautical miles (clean) to an altitude of nearly 25,000 feet. Power is said to come from the popular in-service 2 x Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) PT6A-65SC turboprops, each rated at 1,100 hp.

Four-blade aluminum propeller from McCauley with reverse and auto-bounce capabilities.

Development of SkyCourier is underway (2017) and testing is expected to continue in 2018-2019. Service entry is tentatively scheduled for sometime in 2020.

Specification

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