Cessna's SkyCourier utility turboprop twin has won type certification from the National Civil Aviation Authority of Brazil (ANAC), parent company Textron Aviation said today at LABACE 2023. The approval allows for its delivery and operation in the expansive Brazilian market for regional, utility, and special-mission aircraft.
“The Cessna SkyCourier's high payload capacity, short takeoff and landing capability, and cost-efficiency make it a great choice for operators in Brazil,” said Lannie O’Bannion, Textron Aviation's senior v-p for global sales and flight operations. “The aircraft's versatility and performance equip customers in the region with smart solutions for their unique missions and circumstances.”
Calling the SkyCourier an ideal fit for Brazil’s diverse geography, remote locales, and growing demand for air transportation, Textron promotes the aircraft as “an unparalleled combination” of performance, capacity, and capability, positioning it as a catalyst for enhanced regional connectivity, efficient cargo transportation, and reliable regional passenger operations.
The SkyCourier’s adaptability allows for what Textron characterizes as seamless transitions between different mission profiles. Featuring short takeoff and landing capability, the aircraft can operate from small runways, allowing it to reach remote communities and locations with limited infrastructure. Separately, the aircraft’s recently certified gravel kit option further expands the SkyCourier’s capability to operate from unimproved runways.
Along with a freighter version, Textron offers the high-wing turboprop in a 19-passenger variant that includes separate crew and passenger entries for smooth boarding, as well as large cabin windows for natural light and views. Both configurations offer single-point pressure refueling to enable faster turnarounds.
Designing the SkyCourier to feature simple systems and easy access points throughout the aircraft for ease of maintenance, the aircraft’s development team also devised ways to convert the aircraft from a 19-seat passenger configuration to a cargo configuration using quick-release seats and removable bulkheads.
Powered by two wing-mounted Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65SC turboprop engines the SkyCourier flies to a maximum cruise speed of more than 200 ktas and a 900-nm maximum range. It features a large cargo door, a flat floor cabin, and Garmin G1000 NXi avionics. The freighter variant can hold up to three LD3 shipping containers with 6,000 pounds of payload capability.