FlightGlobal reports that FedEx received “the first Cessna SkyCourier turboprop” from Textron Aviation. This makes FedEx the “launch customer of the clean-sheet SkyCourier, which Textron Aviation markets as a cargo and special-mission aircraft, and as a 19-passenger airliner.” FedEx placed an order for “50 of the aircraft, which are powered by twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65SC turboprops.” Textron Aviation President Ron Draper said, “We believe many other air freight, passenger and special mission operators also will benefit from the winning combination of low operating costs and unparalleled lift capacity that the new Cessna SkyCourier brings to the market.”
Full Story (FlightGlobal)
Tag: Textron
Pipistrel Flight-Tests NUUVA V300 Hybrid-Electric VTOL
Aerotime reports, “Pipistrel, a division of Textron eAviation, announced that its new NUUVA V300 hybrid-electric unmanned VTOL aircraft successfully completed its first flight on January 31, 2025, in Gorizia, northeastern Italy, next to the Slovenian border. The NUUVA is an unmanned aerial system (UAS) designed to carry 300 kg of cargo (the equivalent of three euro-pallets) over distances of up to 300 km.”
Full Story (Aerotime)
Video
Nuuva V300 makes first successful flight-test
(Pipistrel Aircraft; YouTube)
Leonardo, Textron Pitch M-346 as Best Option for Navy’s Next Jet Trainer
Janes reports, “Leonardo has teamed with Textron Aviation Defense to offer its M-346 jet trainer for the US Navy’s (USN’s) Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) program. The service’s current jet trainer, the T-45 Goshawk, entered service in 1991 and has experienced numerous technical issues in recent years.”
Full Story (Janes – Subscription Publication)
SkyCourier’s Passenger-Cargo Combi Variant Approved by FAA
Flight Global reports, “The Federal Aviation Administration has certificated a variant of Textron Aviation’s SkyCourier turboprop that can carry a mix of passengers and freight, positioning the aircraft manufacturer to begin delivering the ‘combi’ SkyCouriers.”
Full Story (Flight Global – Subscription Publication)
Textron Unveils Denali Turboprop Single
Aviation Week reports that Textron Aviation’s Beechcraft Denali “is making its public debut at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, where the new turboprop single attracted a stream of interest at the manufacturer’s chalet.” The P2 aircraft on display “is one of three flying Denalis undergoing flight testing; the fleet has accumulated 1,500 flight hr. to date.” First announced in July 2016, the Denali’s development “has been slowed by supply chain issues and delays in certification of its new, 1,300-shp GE Aviation Catalyst engine, the first clean-sheet turboprop engine design in the past 50 years.” The Denali will also “feature Garmin’s G3000 avionics suite with integrated Autothrottle and Autoland.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
Textron to Provide Drone-Enabled ISR Support for US Navy’s 5th and 6th Fleets
The Defense Post reports, “The US Navy has awarded Textron Systems $64 million in contracts to provide drone-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) services for ships of the 5th and 6th fleets. The contractor-owned, contractor-operated (COCO) deals stipulate the deployment of the firm’s Aerosonde small expeditionary unmanned aerial system (UAS) with enhanced mission payloads as well as skilled personnel to aid a variety of the vessels’ maritime ISR tasks.”
Full Story (The Defense Post)
Textron to Debut Three New Business Aircraft at EBACE 2022
Aviation International News reports that Textron Aviation “will debut three of its newest business aircraft at EBACE 2022, which will be held May 23 to 25 in Geneva.” The new aircraft are the “Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen2 and XLS Gen2 twinjets, and the Beechcraft King Air 360 twin turboprop.”
Full Story (Aviation International News)
Textron eAviation’s Nexus eVTOL Aircraft Could Take Flight in 2025
Aviation International News reports, “The Nexus eVTOL aircraft is coming together at Textron eAviation’s Wichita headquarters as the company prepares to begin flight testing its hybrid-electric Nuuva V300 cargo drone. Having certified the world’s first all-electric trainer airplane, the Velis Electro, the Textron Inc. business unit is working to solidify its foothold in the electric aviation industry, building on the company’s decades of experience in aircraft development and manufacturing.”
Full Story (Aviation International News)
Textron Unveils Newest CJ4 Upgrades
Flying Magazine reports, “Textron Aviation recently unveiled its latest new variant, the Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen 3, which dovetails nicely with the 15th anniversary of the service entry of the first of the CJ4 line. More than 450 CJ4s are currently in operation, according to Textron. The Gen 3 version is expected to enter service next year.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)