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News & Media Cessna introduces SkyCourier twin turboprop

Cessna introduces SkyCourier twin turboprop

High-wing model 408 built for cargo, passenger-hauling

November 28, 2017 By David Tulis

The Cessna SkyCourier 408, a high-wing, twin-engine, utility turboprop “clean-sheet design” was announced Nov. 28 by parent company Textron Aviation.

The Cessna SkyCourier 408 is a high-wing, twin-engine, turboprop design that can haul people or cargo and is based on the popular single-engine Cessna Caravan utility aircraft. Photo courtesy of Cessna/Textron Aviation.
The Cessna SkyCourier 408 is a high-wing, twin-engine, turboprop design that can haul people or cargo and is based on the popular single-engine Cessna Caravan utility aircraft. Photo courtesy of Cessna/Textron Aviation.
The Cessna SkyCourier 408 is a high-wing, twin-engine, turboprop design that can haul people or cargo and is based on the popular single-engine Cessna Caravan utility aircraft. Photo courtesy of Cessna/Textron Aviation.

The new aircraft can move 6,000 pounds of payload at cruise speeds up to 200 knots with a range between 400 and 900 nautical miles, depending on how heavily it’s loaded.

FedEx Express has signed on for “up to 100 aircraft, with an initial fleet order of 50 cargo aircraft,” according to the announcement. The Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65SC-powered 1,100-shaft-horsepower twin has a service ceiling of 25,000 feet and will require 3,300 feet of runway for takeoff.

The SkyCourier 408 also can be configured for up to 19 passengers with “crew and passenger doors for smooth boarding, as well as large cabin windows for great natural light and views.” Single-point pressure refueling is said to speed up turnarounds for both the cargo and passenger models.

The aircraft has a base price of $5.5 million and is planned for service beginning in 2020.

The Cessna SkyCourier 408 is a high-wing, twin-engine, turboprop design that can haul people or cargo and is based on the popular single-engine Cessna Caravan utility aircraft. Photo courtesy of Cessna/Textron Aviation.
David Tulis
David Tulis
Senior Photographer
Senior Photographer David Tulis joined AOPA in 2015 and is a private pilot with single-engine land and sea ratings and a tailwheel endorsement. He is also a certificated remote pilot and co-host of the award-wining AOPA Hangar Talk podcast. David enjoys vintage aircraft ad photography.
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Topics: Jet, Aviation Industry

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