On Tuesday, Textron Aviation and FedEx Express announced the first delivery of the Cessna SkyCourier. FedEx is a launch customer of the new twin utility turboprop made by Cessna, and has 50 of the freighter aircraft on order.

Brand-new Cessna freighter

The Cessna SkyCourier is the manufacturer's newest freighter aircraft, and only received Federal Aviation Administration type certification in March 2022. FedEx worked in partnership with Textron Aviation Inc (a Textron Inc. company) to design and manufacture the aircraft. Textron Aviation's Customer Advisory Board, in which members of the FedEx Express design and engineering teams participated, met to shape the aircraft's serviceability, design, and features. Ron Draper, president and CEO, Textron Aviation, said in a statement,

“FedEx took delivery of its first Cessna in the mid-1980s and the two companies have had a collaborative relationship over the four decades since. We’re thrilled to deliver this aircraft that will help FedEx serve its customers more efficiently as it is designed with the option to carry industry-standard prepacked cargo containers. 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.”

Scot Struminger, CEO and Executive Vice President of Aviation, FedEx Express, added,

“For nearly 50 years, FedEx has been known for being flexible and innovative in finding solutions for our customers, and this aircraft will help us better serve small and medium markets where we aren’t able to operate our larger aircraft. The SkyCourier will make us more efficient, now being able to move containerized and palletized freight for our customers. The result of four-and-a-half years of collaboration with Textron Aviation on this aircraft, FedEx Express is excited to add the Cessna 408 SkyCourier as part of our fleet modernization program.

About the Cessna SkyCourier

The Cessna 408 SkyCourier is a twin-engine, high-wing turboprop that offers improved performance and lower operating costs. The aircraft has a freighter version, a passenger version, and can be used for special missions. The passenger variant of the SkyCourier has a capacity of 19 passengers and has separate entrances for crew and passengers. Separate entrances allow for smooth boarding, and the aircraft also features large cabin windows which provide natural light and great views. Both versions of the aircraft are equipped with single-point pressure refueling in order to make quicker turnarounds.

The SkyCourier is powered by Pratt & Whitney engines. The Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65SC turboprop engines are wing-mounted and feature the McCauley Propeller C779. The C779 is a heavy-duty four-blade propeller, made of aluminum. Each blade has a length of 110-inches, and the propeller is full feathering. It offers reversible pitch, which is meant to enhance the aircraft's performance while carrying large loads.

The avionics in the aircraft's cockpit are Garmin G1000NXi. The new freighter has a maximum cruise speed of 200ktas and a maximum range of 900 nautical miles, while being able to handle a large payload of 6,000 pounds. The cabin of the freighter version features a flat floor, can hold up to three LD3 shipping containers and has a large door for loading. SkyCourier pilot training was performed in a Full-Flight Simulator (FFS) which earned Level D qualification for the FAA.