The Catalyst-powered Denali took flight over Kansas for the first time with the new turboprop engine married to the Denali airframe.
Courtesy: Textron Aviation
Key Takeaways:
The Beechcraft Denali successfully completed its inaugural flight, powered by the new GE Aviation Catalyst turboprop engine.
The nearly 3-hour flight was described as "flawless" by the test pilots, who evaluated aircraft performance, stability, control, and various systems.
This milestone marks the start of the Denali's flight test program, aiming for certification and customer deliveries.
Textron Aviation expects the Denali to set a new standard in high-performance single-engine turboprops, featuring an environmentally friendly engine, the largest cabin in its class, and a projected 285-knot cruise speed.
With senior experimental test pilot Peter Gracey and chief test pilot Dustin Smisor at the controls, the first Beechcraft Denali took to the skies in Wichita, Kansas, at 8:20 a.m. Tuesday from Textron Aviation’s west campus at Eisenhower International Airport.
The Denali flew for the first time behind the clean-sheet-design GE Aviation Catalyst turboprop powerplant.
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