Story ID: 
New Cessna Denali Mockup Makes AirVenture Debut
By: Chad Trautvetter
Caption: Textron Aviation is quickly moving toward first wing mate and completion of the Denali prototype airframes as the program nears first flight in early 2019.
Word Count: 216
Textron Aviation is displaying a new full-scale Cessna Denali mockup this week at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The mockup of the company’s new turboprop single features a flight deck with functioning Garmin G3000 avionics, updated interior, and McCauley 105-inch-diameter composite, five-blade, constant-speed propeller.

“We have made great strides in the design and development of the Denali,” said Textron Aviation senior vice president of sales and marketing Rob Scholl. “Since first introducing the aircraft at EAA AirVenture in 2015—and unveiling the initial cabin concept in 2016—we have fine-tuned the Denali’s characteristics based upon feedback gathered from our customer base and look forward to delivering a best-in-class experience for pilots and passengers.”

The turboprop features what Textron claims is the widest cabin cross-section in the segment, larger seats and windows, modular refreshment center, and an aft lavatory. On-site demonstrations of the Denali’s cabin show how it can be transformed from an executive configuration to a passenger/cargo combi layout. On the flight deck, attendees can try out the touchscreen G3000 avionics, including its automatic speech-recognition technology functions.

Textron Aviation is quickly moving toward first wing mate and completion of the Denali prototype airframes as the program nears first flight early next year. Certification is expected in 2020.