Textron Aviation Inc., a subsidiary of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), has announced that the Cessna SkyCourier, its versatile twin-engine, large-utility turboprop, has received type certification from Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA). This milestone expands the SkyCourier’s potential to enhance operational efficiency in some of North America’s most remote regions.
The first SkyCourier to enter service in Canada—a freighter variant—is set to be delivered this year to Air Bravo Corporation. Based in Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Barrie, and Meaford, Ontario, Air Bravo has been providing passenger, cargo, and air ambulance services since 2001.
Lannie O’Bannion, senior vice president of Global Sales and Flight Operations at Textron Aviation, highlighted the aircraft’s potential: “The SkyCourier’s outstanding performance will be a game-changer for our customers across Canada. Its maximum flexibility and low operating costs make it an excellent choice for a wide range of missions throughout the region.”
The Cessna SkyCourier offers a highly adaptable design, suitable for air freight, passenger transport, and special missions. It can be operated by a single pilot, features easy configuration adjustments, and is designed to handle a variety of missions efficiently, ensuring a strong return on investment. Its capabilities make it an ideal choice for supporting diverse operational activities, especially in remote and challenging environments.
About the Cessna SkyCourier
The Cessna SkyCourier twin-engine, high-wing turboprop offers a combination of performance and lower operating costs for air freight, commuter and special mission operators. It’s available in both freighter and passenger variants, as well with a Combi configuration or gravel kit for maximum flexibility. The 19-passenger variant includes separate crew and passenger doors for smooth boarding, a large baggage compartment and large cabin windows for natural light and views.
The freighter variant features a flat-floor cabin that is sized to handle up to three LD3 shipping containers with an impressive 6,000 pounds of payload capability. Both variants offer a large cargo door and single-point pressure refueling to enable faster turnarounds.
The aircraft is powered by two wing-mounted Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65SC turboprop engines and features the McCauley Propeller C779, a heavy-duty and reliable 110-inch aluminum four-blade propeller, which is full feathering with reversible pitch, designed to enhance the performance of the aircraft while hauling tremendous loads. The SkyCourier is operated with Garmin G1000 NXi avionics and has a maximum cruise speed of more than 200 ktas and a 900 nautical-mile maximum range.
About Textron Aviation
We inspire the journey of flight. For more than 95 years, Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company, has empowered our collective talent across the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands to design and deliver the best aviation experience for our customers. With a range that includes everything from business jets, turboprops, and high-performance pistons, to special mission, military trainer and defense products, Textron Aviation has the most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the world and a workforce that has produced more than half of all general aviation aircraft worldwide. Customers in more than 170 countries rely on our legendary performance, reliability and versatility, along with our trusted global customer service network, for affordable and flexible flight.