First Cessna SkyCourier Update While the business aviation community has been humming about the fastest and longest range business jet battles, on the smaller end of the market Textron Aviation has been working away on their Cessna SkyCourier product. The first example had its wing mated to the fuselage recently marking an important period in the assembly.
"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 aircraft is configurable for a commuter/executive roll and for cargo operations. Many customers will opt for the cargo role and the launch customer is actually a cargo operator in FedEx. For its commuter role it will be able to carry up to 19 passengers. In cargo it should be able to take 6,000 lbs of load or three LD3 air containers. Power is via a pair of Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65SC turboprop engines with an expected 200 KTAS performance. For more information: Cessna Aircraft Company 1 Cessna Blvd. Wichita, KS 67215 www.cessna.com ***
