Second Cessna SkyCourier test article takes flight

Textron Aviation announced Tuesday the successful flight of its second Cessna SkyCourier flight test article (P1). The milestone flight for the high-wing, large utility aircraft comes just two-and-a-half months after the prototype Cessna SkyCourier first took to the skies on May 17. The P1 aircraft is the first conforming production flight test aircraft and is the first airframe configured as a freighter.

The Cessna SkyCourier is designed and manufactured by Textron Aviation Inc.

The first flight of P1, piloted by Peter Gracey and Todd Dafforn, lasted one-hour and 35-minutes reaching a max altitude of 14,200 feet with a max speed of 210 knots true airspeed. The aircraft will be used for the flight test program, primarily for systems testing, including propulsion, environmental control and avionics.

The Cessna SkyCourier test program will include three variations of flying aircraft. Since the Cessna SkyCourier prototype completed its first flight in May, the aircraft has successfully completed 38 flights and logged more than 76 flight hours. Through the flights, the team has been able to expand speed and center-of-gravity envelopes, complete preliminary engine and propeller tests, as well as initial stability and maneuverability tests.

The Cessna SkyCourier will be offered in various configurations including a 6,000-pound payload capable freighter and a 19-seat passenger version, all based on the common platform.

The aircraft features the popular Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite and a maximum range of 900 nautical miles.