Cessna announced Monday that the 408 SkyCourier twin-engine turboprop had received type certification by the FAA. The first prototype rolled of the factory floor almost 2 years ago, since then 2 more have been built…
AVweb
Cessna’s SkyCourier utility twin turboprop made its first show appearance at EAA AirVenture, arriving on opening day, Monday, July 26. A crowd gathered on Boeing Plaza in front of the big twin as Textron officials updated certification progress and underscored the features they believe will make the airplane a success. Also on hand were representatives from launch customer FedEx, which has 50 on order and expects to take its first delivery later this year.
They will join FedEx’s “feeder fleet,” including Cessna Caravans and larger ATR turboprop twins, uploading and delivering cargo to remote airports. FedEx says the SkyCourier offers twice the cargo capacity of the Caravan and can accommodate oversize freight as well as three standard LD3 containers. The new airplane can also handle pallet-loaded and loose cargo, FedEx says, adding that the new type will enable carrying large products to remote areas that previously required trucking. Max payload in t