Story ID: 047 
Third Cessna SkyCourier Joins Test Fleet
By: Jerry Siebenmark
Caption: Designated as P2 and configured for passengers, the airplane made its first flight yesterday.
Word Count: 204
A third Cessna SkyCourier test airplane made its first flight yesterday, marking the last of the aircraft designated for Textron Aviation’s flight-test program of the high-wing twin-turboprop. Designated as P2, the airplane joins the first prototype SkyCourier in a passenger configuration while P1, which first flew last month, is in a cargo configuration.

Piloted by Todd Dafton and Caleb Quick, P2’s first flight lasted 90 minutes and reached a speed of 210 ktas and an altitude of 15,000 feet. P2 will primarily be used for avionics, flammable fluids, and cold and hot weather testing in the climatic chamber at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

“The Cessna SkyCourier program continues to progress through its milestones, and that’s a testament to the many great employees involved with this project,” said Textron Aviation senior v-p of engineering and programs Chris Hearne. “This most recent successful flight of our third test aircraft allows us to continue the great momentum we have created throughout the year. We will soon be starting line production in Wichita as we move closer to getting the Cessna SkyCourier into the hands of our customers.”

So far, the program has accumulated 150 hours of flight testing.