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