Cessna SkyCourier Certified in Canada to Support Remote North America 2025
Textron Aviation Inc., a subsidiary of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), recently announced a significant achievement for its twin-engine turboprop utility aircraft, the Cessna SkyCourier. The aircraft has officially received type certification from Transport Canada’s Department of Civil Aviation (TCCA). This certification marks a pivotal moment for the aircraft, as it is now cleared to support diverse operational activities in some of North America’s most isolated regions.
Expanding Operations with the First Delivery in Canada
The first Cessna SkyCourier destined for the Canadian market—a cargo variant—will soon be delivered to Air Bravo Corporation, a versatile aviation service provider based in Ontario. Since its founding in 2001, Air Bravo has been offering passenger transport, cargo delivery, and air ambulance services across locations such as Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Barrie, and Meaford. The addition of the SkyCourier to Air Bravo’s fleet is expected to enhance the company’s capabilities, particularly in challenging environments.
Lannie O’Bannion, Textron Aviation’s senior vice president of global sales and flight operations, expressed enthusiasm about the SkyCourier’s role in Canada, stating, “SkyCourier’s outstanding performance will be a game-changer for our customers in Canada. The aircraft’s maximum flexibility and low operating cost make it an excellent choice for a wide range of missions across the region.”
Versatility and Efficiency: The SkyCourier Advantage
The Cessna SkyCourier is designed to excel in diverse roles, including cargo transport, passenger service, and special missions. One of its standout features is its adaptability; the aircraft can be operated by a single pilot and reconfigured quickly to meet varying operational demands. Whether it’s transporting goods to remote communities or serving as an air ambulance, the SkyCourier promises to deliver exceptional performance and value.
Equipped with advanced avionics, durable construction, and a spacious cabin, the SkyCourier is optimized for efficiency. Its twin-engine turboprop design ensures reliability and performance even in rugged conditions, making it particularly suitable for regions with limited infrastructure. These features collectively represent a significant return on investment for operators who require both versatility and cost-effectiveness in their fleets.
Meeting the Needs of Remote Areas
Canada’s vast and often remote geography presents unique challenges for aviation. Many regions depend heavily on aircraft capable of operating under demanding conditions to deliver essential goods, transport passengers, and provide emergency services. The SkyCourier’s ability to operate in such environments positions it as a vital tool for bridging gaps in connectivity.
The aircraft’s high payload capacity and range make it an ideal choice for operators serving remote communities. Additionally, its ability to land on shorter runways and unpaved airstrips further enhances its utility in areas where infrastructure is limited. This capability is particularly beneficial for missions involving medical supplies, perishable goods, or time-sensitive cargo, as it ensures reliable access to isolated locations.
A Commitment to Innovation
Textron Aviation’s achievement of Canadian type certification for the SkyCourier underscores the company’s commitment to innovation and meeting the evolving needs of the aviation industry. The certification process involves rigorous evaluation to ensure the aircraft meets safety, performance, and environmental standards. With this milestone, Textron Aviation has opened the door for broader use of the SkyCourier across Canada and other regions where challenging conditions demand robust and reliable aircraft.
In addition to its practical features, the SkyCourier reflects Textron Aviation’s emphasis on sustainability and operational efficiency. The aircraft’s design minimizes fuel consumption and operating costs while maximizing payload and range. This focus aligns with the growing demand for eco-friendly and economically viable solutions in the aviation sector.
About the Cessna SkyCourier
The Cessna SkyCourier is a high-wing, twin-turboprop offering a combination of performance and low operating cost for air cargo, commuter and special mission operators. It is available in cargo and passenger variants, as well as a Combi or gravel kit configuration for maximum flexibility. The 19-passenger variant includes separate crew and passenger doors for streamlined boarding, a large baggage compartment and large cabin windows for natural light and views.
The cargo variant features a flat-floor cabin with capacity for three LD3 shipping containers and an impressive 6,000-pound payload capacity. Both variants offer a large cargo door and pressurized fueling system to enable faster turnaround times.
The aircraft is powered by two wing-mounted Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65SC turboprop engines and features reliable, heavy-duty, four-blade, 110-inch, full-bore, reversible-pitch McCauley Propeller C779 aluminum propellers designed to enhance the aircraft’s performance while carrying massive payloads. The SkyCourier operates with Garmin G1000 NXi avionics and has a maximum cruise speed of more than 200 kts and a maximum range of 900 nautical miles.
About Textron Aviation
We inspire the journey of flight. For more than 95 years, Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company, has leveraged our collective talent across the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands to design and deliver the ultimate aviation experience for our customers. With a range that includes everything from high-performance commercial jets, turboprops and pistons to special missions, military training and defense products, Textron Aviation has the world’s most versatile and comprehensive portfolio of aviation products and a workforce that has produced more than half of the world’s general aviation aircraft.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and financial businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known worldwide for its powerful brands, including Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, EZ-GO, Arctic Cat, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation + Training.
Some of the statements contained in this press release may project revenue or describe strategies, objectives, prospects or other non-historical matters; these forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update them. All statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, changes in aircraft delivery schedules or order cancellations.