Senior Editor

Jerry Siebenmark

Next September will mark the 50th anniversary of FAA type certification for the Cessna Model 500—the first of its Citation variants that fundamentally changed the company from primarily a general aviation manufacturer to a business aviation one. Also on tap in 2021 are the expected certification and first delivery of the high-wing Cessna SkyCourier 408 turboprop. The Wichita, Kansas, airframer expects to mark those two milestones in the second half of the year.

 


FedEx Express is the launch customer for the SkyCourier, which was announced in November 2017, and is slated to take delivery of 50 of the airplanes in a cargo configuration with an option for 50 more. The airplane will replace FedEx’s aging fleet of Caravans and ATRs. Textron Aviation officials previously told AIN&nbsp;that the airplane—which is also available in a configuration for 19 passengers—has attracted strong interest among regional airlines in the Asia-Pacific region as well.

 


What’s not clear at this point is whether another Cessna airplane under development, the Denali, will see its first flight in 2021 because company officials declined to put a timeline on the turboprop single’s milestones. Powered by the clean-sheet GE Aviation Catalyst engine, the Denali was originally expected to have its&nbsp;first flight in 2019 but that has not occurred because of delays in the engine program. However, GE began ground testing of the Catalyst on a Beechcraft King Air flying testbed in December and&nbsp;delivered the safety-of-flight engine to Textron Aviation, which put the airplane closer to the start of its flight-test program.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Textron To Mark Citation, SkyCourier Milestones in 2021

Next year will bring the 50th anniversary of the Citation 500 type certification as well as certification and first delivery of the Cessna SkyCourier 408.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Ultra-long-range model has amassed 75 records, many from customer trips

Speed Records Abound for Bombardier's Global 7500

We talk through the process from conception to delivery

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Hanneke Weitering

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

AltiSky will assemble, sell, and service VoltAero's aircraft

VoltAero Picks U.S. Distributor for Cassio Hybrid-electric Aircraft 

Jennifer Leach English

Company noncommittal on expanding its lineup upwards, citing $1B investment cost

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Operations ebbed, backlogs were steady, and available aircraft increased

GJC: Bizjet Market Continues To Stabilize in 3Q2024

Greenville-based charter operator pre-orders 10 eVTOL air taxis

SAI Flight To Operate SkyDrive eVTOL in South Carolina

Charles Alcock

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

In this article

Cessna Citation 500, 501, I, and ISP

Cessna SkyCourier 408

Textron Aviation

Cessna

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