And then there were three: Textron Aviation continues apace with its flight test program on the twin turboprop, the Cessna SkyCourier, adding a third test article to the pre-production fleet. The aircraft, P2 in company parlance, made its first flight on September 28, 2020, in Wichita. That initial flight, led by pilots Todd Dafton and Caleb Quick, spanned 90 minutes in which the SkyCourier reached an altitude of 15,000 feet msl and a speed of 210 ktas—above its planned maximum cruise speed of 200 ktas.
Textron Aviation Adds Third SkyCourier to Program
Key Takeaways:
- Textron Aviation has added a third Cessna SkyCourier test aircraft (P2) to its flight program, successfully completing its first 90-minute flight on September 28, 2020.
- P2 will focus on avionics, flammable fluids, and environmental testing, joining the prototype (passenger configuration) and P1 (freighter configuration) which have collectively logged 150 flight hours.
- The SkyCourier program is progressing towards line production, featuring Garmin G1000 NXi avionics and a 900-nm range designed for short- to medium-haul passenger and cargo operations, with military applications also being pursued.
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