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 maiden flight, taking off from Wichita, Kansas, powered by the new GE Aviation Catalyst turboprop engine.
The nearly 3-hour flight was described as "flawless" by test pilots, with the aircraft and engine performing exceptionally well and meeting anticipated levels.
This significant milestone positions the Denali to set new standards for high-performance single-engine turboprops, featuring an environmentally friendly engine and the largest cabin in its class.
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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