en.Wedoany.com Reported - Textron Aviation Inc. has completed the expansion of its flight test hangar at its East Wichita campus in Kansas, adding six new bays to support the growing global demand for the Cessna SkyCourier turboprop aircraft and the continued development of the company's turboprop product line. The 57,000-square-foot expansion significantly enhances flight test operational capabilities. The expanded space will also support ongoing flight testing and service entry of the Beechcraft Denali.
Lannie O'Bannion, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, stated that as demand for the Cessna SkyCourier continues to grow in the commercial, cargo, and special mission markets, Textron Aviation's facilities and team must be able to sustain this momentum. By investing in additional flight test capacity, the company has strengthened its ability to efficiently support current development efforts and the continued expansion of future needs.
The Cessna SkyCourier is designed for commercial passenger, cargo, and special mission operators, offering multiple configurations. The aircraft has recently expanded into the defense and special mission sectors, including securing its first military order and adding an optional aerial operations door to further enhance mission flexibility. Additionally, the model offers a Combi optional kit that allows conversion between passenger and cargo configurations, or a configuration that can accommodate up to nine passengers while carrying cargo simultaneously.
From an operational perspective, the expanded hangar enables the flight test team to achieve more efficient workflow between aircraft preparation, data collection, and evaluation. Brad White, Senior Vice President of Manufacturing Operations, stated that the team can now run multiple test profiles in parallel and turn around aircraft more efficiently, which is critical to supporting the growing real-world mission needs of SkyCourier operators worldwide.
This expansion also reflects Textron Aviation's commitment to responsible operations. The new facility features energy-efficient LED lighting and high-efficiency systems designed to reduce energy consumption while supporting intensive flight test activities.
The twin-engine, high-wing Cessna SkyCourier turboprop is available in both cargo and passenger models. The cargo variant can handle up to three LD3 air containers with a payload capacity of 6,000 pounds; the 19-passenger model features large cabin windows to provide natural light. Both versions are equipped with two crew doors and a large side door for cargo loading or passenger boarding.
The SkyCourier is powered by two wing-mounted Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65SC turboprop engines and features 110-inch aluminum four-blade propellers capable of full feathering and reversing. The aircraft has a maximum cruise speed of over 200 knots (true airspeed) and a maximum range of 900 nautical miles.
