WICHITA, Kansas, February 04, 2022–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Textron Aviation today announced the deployment of the first production unit of the high-utility twin-engine turboprop, the Cessna Sky Courier, at the company’s manufacturing facility in Wichita. The new clean sheet design allowed for the incorporation of the latest state-of-the-art assembly and manufacturing processes and techniques into the manufacture of the aircraft.

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The Textron Aviation team celebrates the deployment of the first production unit of the new Cessna SkyCourier. (Photo: BusinessWire)

The Cessna SkyCourier is designed and produced by Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company.

“Today is a rewarding day for our employees who worked to design and build what I believe will become a legendary aircraft for our company,” said Ron Draper, President and CEO of Textron. Aviation. “The SkyCourier brings an impressive combination of cabin flexibility, payload capacity, performance and low operating costs to the twin-engine utility segment. We look forward to seeing this highly versatile aircraft hitting the market very soon.”

Since SkyCourier’s inception, launch customer FedEx Express and other members of Textron Aviation’s Customer Advisory Board have been instrumental in the design of the aircraft, from manufacturing methods and materials to product specifications and to its ease of maintenance. Textron Aviation’s highly skilled employees have incorporated this feedback and found opportunities to maximize quality and accuracy, while meeting and exceeding customer expectations.

Production of the SkyCourier incorporates many of the latest advances in aircraft manufacturing, including the use of monolithic machining throughout the airframe. With this technique, major assemblies are milled from a single piece of metal rather than assembled from smaller parts, reducing the total number of parts and resulting in tighter tolerances for easier assembly .

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Designed with ease of maintenance at the forefront, the SkyCourier has quick access points throughout the aircraft for inspection and repairs. The team has also developed innovative patent-pending quick-release seats and luggage bins that can be installed quickly by a single operator.

The SkyCourier celebrated its maiden flight in May 2020, and the three aircraft in the flight test program have accumulated more than 2,100 hours. Following certification, expected in the first half of 2022, this first production unit will be delivered to launch customer FedEx Express, which has committed to purchase up to 100 aircraft, with an initial fleet order of 50 freighter aircraft and options for 50 more.

About the Cessna SkyCourier

The twin-engine, high-wing Cessna SkyCourier turboprop offers a combination of performance and low operating costs for air cargo, passenger and special mission operators. In addition to the cargo version, there is a 19-passenger variant of the SkyCourier which features crew and passenger doors for smooth boarding, as well as large cabin windows for natural light and views. Both configurations offer single-point pressure refueling to allow for faster turns.

The aircraft is powered by two wing-mounted Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65SC turboprop engines and features the McCauley Propeller C779, a robust and reliable 110 inch, four-bladed aluminum propeller, full feathering with reversible pitch, designed to improve aircraft performance while carrying huge loads. The SkyCourier is operated with Garmin G1000 NXi avionics and has a maximum cruise speed of over 200 ktas. The SkyCourier has a maximum range of 900 nautical miles. The aircraft features a large door and a flat-floor cabin sized to accommodate up to three LD3 shipping containers with an impressive payload capacity of 6,000 pounds.

About Textron Aviation

We inspire the journey of flight. For more than 90 years, Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company, has enabled our collective talent across the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands to design and deliver the best aviation experience for our customers. With a portfolio that includes everything from business jets, turboprops and high-performance pistons to special mission, military training and defense products, Textron Aviation has the most versatile and comprehensive portfolio of aerospace products in the world. world and a workforce that produced more than half of all general aviation aircraft in the world. Customers in over 170 countries rely on our legendary performance, reliability and versatility, along with our trusted global customer service network, for affordable and flexible flight.

For more information, visit www.txtav.com | www.defense.txtav.com | www.scorpionjet.com.

About Textron Inc.

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aerospace, defense, industrial and financial companies to provide its customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known worldwide for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, EZ-GO, Arctic Cat, Textron Systems and TRU Simulation + Training. For more information visit: www.textron.com.

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements that may project earnings or describe strategies, objectives, prospects or other non-historical matters; these statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including, but not limit the effectiveness of investments in research and development. to develop new products or unexpected expenses related to the launch of significant new products or programs; the timing of the launches of our new products or the certifications of our new aeronautical products; our ability to keep pace with our competitors in introducing new products and upgrades with features and technologies desired by our customers; changes in government regulations or policies on the export and import of our products; volatility in the global economy or changes in global political conditions that adversely impact demand for our products; performance issues with major suppliers or subcontractors; and order cancellations or postponements.

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contacts

Media:
Ketura Austin
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txtav.com