Briefing: February 2018

Textron Reveals New TwinTextron plans to build an all-new, clean-sheet-design, large-utility twin turboprop, and start deliveries by 2020, the company said in November. The new airplane was developed with launch customer FedEx Express in mind, offering almost twice the interior space of the Caravan 208 plus a large cargo door to support container operations. The Cessna SkyCourier 408 will improve fuel efficiency, reliability and operating costs over the current fleet, according to FedEx Express. It will be powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65SC turbines, with a cruise speed of up to 200 knots and a 900-NM range. The cockpit will be equipped with Garmin G1000 avionics. The company has signed on for 50 of the $5.5 million turboprops, with options for up to 50 more.

Editorial Staff

Saturday, December 30, 2017 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Textron unveiled the new Cessna SkyCourier 408 twin turboprop designed for FedEx, and Pilatus' PC-24 "super-versatile" jet received certification and began deliveries.
General aviation safety significantly improved, reaching its lowest fatal accident rate in 50 years.
New aviation technologies are advancing with major investments in hybrid-electric propulsion (e.g., Airbus/Rolls-Royce/Siemens demonstrator, VerdeGo Aero) and autonomous flight systems.
A FAA study indicated that drone collisions pose a greater damage risk to aircraft than bird strikes due to their hard materials and potential for battery fires.

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Textron Reveals New Twin

Textron plans to build an all-new, clean-sheet-design, large-utility twin turboprop, and start deliveries by 2020, the company said in November. The new airplane was developed with launch customer FedEx Express in mind, offering almost twice the interior space of the Caravan 208 plus a large cargo door to support container operations. The Cessna SkyCourier 408 will improve fuel efficiency, reliability and operating costs over the current fleet, according to FedEx Express. It will be powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65SC turbines, with a cruise speed of up to 200 knots and a 900-NM range. The cockpit will be equipped with Garmin G1000 avionics. The company has signed on for 50 of the $5.5 million turboprops, with options for up to 50 more.

Pilatus PC-24 Certified

When Pilatus opened its order book in 2014 for a small twin-engine jet that can operate from rough runways, it quickly sold out the first production run of 84 airplanes. In December, right on schedule, the company said the PC-24 had received type certification from both the FAA and EASA. First delivery was set for January, to PlaneSense, a fractional operator based on the East Coast. The “super-versatile” jet can take off in about 2800 feet, and cruise at 440 knots for up to 2035 NM. It’s also equipped with a large cargo door. The company says it hopes the PC-24 will create new markets not previously serviced by small, civilian jets.