Cessna’s SkyCourier utility twin turboprop made its first show appearance at EAA AirVenture, arriving on opening day, Monday, July 26. A crowd gathered on Boeing Plaza in front of the big twin as Textron officials updated certification progress and underscored the features they believe will make the airplane a success. Also on hand were representatives from launch customer FedEx, which has 50 on order and expects to take its first delivery later this year.
They will join FedEx’s “feeder fleet,” including Cessna Caravans and larger ATR turboprop twins, uploading and delivering cargo to remote airports. FedEx says the SkyCourier offers twice the cargo capacity of the Caravan and can accommodate oversize freight as well as three standard LD3 containers. The new airplane can also handle pallet-loaded and loose cargo, FedEx says, adding that the new type will enable carrying large products to remote areas that previously required trucking. Max payload in the cargo configuration is 6,000 pounds.
After the podium speeches were completed, pairs of Textron test pilots divided up the journalists and walked them around the SkyCourier to brief the progress on the test program (three airplanes flying, 1,200 hours logged) and answered questions. Brad Silverstein discussed the remote oil sensors and oil and fuel bypass features of the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65SC engines. As he walked around, he pointed out how all the preflight inspections can be performed easily by the pilot without climbing up onto the wings or struts. “The pilot’s feet never leave the ground until you climb into the seat,” he said. With its 19,000-pound max takeoff weight, the Sky Courier is approved for single-pilot operation.
With a priority placed on quick turns, Cessna incorporated single-point refueling and a bigger-than-a-barn-door 7-foot, 3-inch cargo door. The SkyCourier also has a ground-services buss that illuminates a tail-mounted lamp to flood the loading area with light. Also designed for simplicity in securing the aircraft on the ground, there is an internal gust-lock activation system. For safety, it’s not possible to advance the throttles to takeoff power when the gust locks are activated.
The SkyCourier is available in freighter configuration ($6.8 million) and set up for 19-passenger (maximum) service ($7.3 million). Special missions applications are definitely “on the table,” though no specific plans are yet in the works, according to Textron. Standing under the cavernous cargo door, one journalist suggested it might make an excellent jump plane. The test pilots agreed, though when someone else said it might be “a bit pricey,” they both nodded.
Considering how the preflight in ground icing conditions mandated in the C208 (except for FedEx ops which are done according to FedEx’s own approved procedure), I wonder how it will be done in the SkyCourier. I would love to hear an explanation of how to do ground icing checks with the “pilot’s feet on the ground”, with a high wing airplane!
Not likely any drop zone could afford a $6.8 million purchase price!
In 10 years those used planes will throwing out some divers.
“one journalist suggested it might make an excellent jump plane” gee, I wonder who that might have been?
Actually, I’ve never been so excited about a cargo plane!
There’s only 5 or 6 small cargo aircraft currently in production in the world, if that, so the SkyCourier is a big deal.
I used to see the 10 or so Fedex Caravans parked in a row at HNL back in the day. I’m sure all new pilots there think, “Hmm … how do I get my hands on one of those? Nobody seems to be using them!”
For those wondering how Fedex justifies the cost, it’s all about the corporate accounting. It’s easier for BigCo to move numbers around a spreadsheet than to buy old planes and struggle with maintenance.
FedEx owns all the “feeder” C208s, ATRs (42/72), and the new 408 SkyCourier just presented at EAA. The group of nine feeder operators fly/maintain them throughout the lower 48, AK, HI, the Caribbean, and some parts of upper NE S. America + one operator up in CAN. Each of the operators has their own HR/recruiting and there’s also the FedEx Purple Runway Pilot Pathways program to get folks into the ATRs, then move into FDX Boeings, MDs, and Airbuses: http://www.fedexpurplerunway.com/ Also some of the operators will be doing an SIC program for the right seat of the 408. FDX feeder operators: Baron Aviation, Corporate Air, CSA Air, Empire Airlines, IFL Group, Mountain Air Cargo, West Air, and Wiggins Aviation and Morningstar Air Express (CAN). The 208s and the 408 are/will be Part 135 single-pilot ops (1,200TT mins) and the ATRs are Part 121 (R/ATP mins). Each of the operators has their own website with hiring info. Check out the FedEx tent at EAA, a C208 is there, along with plenty of friendly folks to converse with…
Looks like the grandchild of a Twin Otter.