Articles from Textron Aviation

Textron Aviation today announced the first delivery into Canada for its twin-engine, large-utility turboprop, the Cessna SkyCourier, to Air Bravo Corporation. Air Bravo is a passenger, cargo and air ambulance flight service company based in Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Barrie and Meaford, Ontario. The aircraft – a freighter variant – will be used to transport cargo throughout the region.

Textron Aviation today announced the first international sale of seven of its Beechcraft King Air 260 military multi-engine training aircraft. SkyAlyne and KF Aerospace selected the King Air 260 in support of the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program to train pilots for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The FAcT program was awarded to SkyAlyne, a joint venture between CAE and KF Aerospace. King Air 260 deliveries for the FAcT program are expected to begin in the first half of 2028.

Textron Aviation today announced it delivered the first of two multi-mission Beechcraft King Air 360CHW aircraft to the Peruvian Air Force. The King Air 360CHW is cargo door equipped and fitted for heavy weight operation.

Textron Aviation today announced the Cessna Citation Ascend continues to progress through its certification program and will be equipped with the latest enhancements to the Garmin G5000 avionics suite. This flight deck will provide pilots with significant technological advances when it enters into service, expected to be in 2025.

Textron Aviation today announced an additional high speed internet connectivity solution for their Beechcraft King Air B200 and B300 series and Cessna Citation 560XL series aircraft following the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) issuance of AeroMech’s Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for Starlink high-speed internet connectivity. AeroMech’s STC utilizes Starlink’s high-speed internet technology connecting to Starlink’s constellation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites providing more reliable connectivity over land, water and remote areas, where traditional in-flight Wi-Fi may not have service.

Textron Aviation today announced longtime Cessna Citation customer Ryan Samples as the launch customer for its new Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen3 business jet, which the company unveiled today at the National Business Aviation Association - Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas. Samples has entered into a purchase agreement with the company to take delivery of the first CJ4 Gen3, which is expected to enter into service in 2026.

Textron Aviation today announced that its Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen3 prototype aircraft took to the skies for the first time in early October. The announcement of this milestone flight follows the company’s unveiling today of three new Gen3 products to its Citation light jet family at the National Business Aviation Association - Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas. These next-generation business jets -- the Citation M2 Gen3, CJ3 Gen3 and CJ4 Gen3 -- build upon the legacy of the Citation family, which has long been recognized as the most popular line of business jets worldwide.

Textron Aviation today announced the launch of “EvoX,” specialized aftermarket upgrade packages designed for Cessna Citation and Beechcraft King Air customers who are seeking the latest aircraft upgrades and modifications to maximize the value of their aircraft. EvoX allows customers to bundle state-of-the-art avionics, cutting-edge connectivity solutions, exclusive luxurious interior refurbishments and sleek exterior upgrades into one easy to schedule and complete comprehensive modification package.

Textron Aviation today announced customers can now upgrade their Cessna Citation XLS+ and Citation XLS Gen2 aircraft with the Garmin G5000 integrated flight deck following Garmin’s receipt of FAA supplemental type certification (STC) for the avionics upgrade. Customers can have the upgrade installed at selected domestic Textron Aviation Service Centers to add significant technological advances and new capabilities to their aircraft.

Textron Aviation today announced that the Cessna SkyCourier twin utility turboprop has been awarded type certification by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), expanding the aircraft’s ability to support operational activities in remote areas of southeast Asia. The first SkyCourier in the region – A 19-seat passenger variant – is planned to be delivered in the second half of 2025 to Leading Edge Air Services Corporation (LEASCOR), a wholly owned subsidiary of ACDI Multipurpose Cooperative in the Philippines.

Textron Aviation today announced the expansion of its service offerings to include a new standard repair process for Cessna Citation 560XL series aircraft main landing gear (MLG). The new solution, developed in collaboration with the company’s affiliate, Able Aerospace Services, allows for significant MLG repairs without a full replacement – providing an additional timely and cost-effective part option for customers.

Textron Aviation today announced the delivery of the first Cessna SkyCourier twin-engine utility turboprop equipped with a Combi interior conversion option. The aircraft was delivered to Everts Air, an Alaskan-based Part 135 operator serving passenger, cargo and charter needs throughout Alaska. Everts also operates Part 121, providing cargo and on-demand charter throughout North, Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean Islands.

Textron Aviation today announced the successful flight of its second Cessna Citation Ascend flight test article (P1) as certification momentum builds for the newest Citation business jet. The milestone flight follows the Ascend prototype, which completed its first flight in 2023 marking the P1 aircraft the first conforming production flight test aircraft. The Citation Ascend business jet was unveiled during the 2023 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE), and the aircraft is expected to enter into service in 2025.

Textron Aviation today announced advanced Garmin G5000 avionics enhancements coming to the best-selling mid-size business jet, the Cessna Citation Latitude, and the flagship of the Citation family of jets, the Citation Longitude. Textron Aviation’s investments in the popular business jets, based on customer feedback, will offer greater performance and improved user experience to pilots in the new Latitude jets beginning in 2025 and the new Longitude jets in 2026.

Textron Aviation today announced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted certification of a new Combi interior conversion option for the passenger variant of the twin-engine, Cessna SkyCourier turboprop aircraft. The Combi option enables operators to transport nine passengers and cargo simultaneously. Deliveries of Cessna SkyCourier passenger units with the Combi option included are slated to begin later this year.

Textron Aviation today announced the Federal Aviation Administration has granted supplemental type certification (STC) approval of a fully integrated Future Air Navigation System (FANS) and Protected Mode Controller Pilot Data Link Communication (PM-CPDLC) program for Hawker 4000 aircraft equipped with the Honeywell PRIMUS EPIC integrated cockpit. This program allows pilots to communicate more easily with air traffic controllers and utilize the most current Data Link services offered in North America and Europe.

Textron Aviation today announced the continued advancement of the Cessna Citation Ascend program following the successful completion by the prototype aircraft of numerous certification tests and more than 350 flight test hours. The Citation Ascend business jet was unveiled during the 2023 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) and the aircraft is expected to enter into service in 2025.

Textron Aviation today announced the Cessna SkyCourier twin utility turboprop has been awarded type certification by the Australia Certification & Accreditation Service Agency (ACASA), paving the way for the aircraft to serve remote communities, improve regional connectivity in Australia and cater to the region’s diverse aviation needs. This certification comes three months after the first SkyCourier order in Australia was announced at the Singapore Airshow.

Textron Aviation’s Beechcraft Denali single-engine turboprop continues to surpass significant milestones as it begins the certification flight test phase of the program following FAA Type Inspection Authorization achieved earlier this year. Each major development milestone has allowed the members of the flight test program a better understanding of the aircraft’s strength, capability and durability, and the clean-sheet aircraft recently completed the first on-aircraft certification ground and flight testing of the avionics systems.

Textron Aviation today announced the grand opening of the company’s largest parts distribution facility at its headquarters in Wichita, Kansas. With the addition of 180,000 square feet of space, this state-of-the-art facility is now better equipped to serve the company’s global customer base with increased parts storage and faster shipping.

Textron Aviation today announced it delivered the first two of up to 64 Multi-Engine Training System (METS) Beechcraft King Air 260 aircraft contracted by Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) on January 25, 2023, following a full and open competition.

Textron Aviation's commitment to sustainability has been recognized once again as its global service network received recertification as a Green Aviation Business from the National Air Transportation Association (NATA). This recognition is part of NATA's Sustainability Standard for Aviation Businesses program, which encourages environmental sustainability within the industry.

Textron Aviation today announced the legendary Cessna Caravan turboprop family has surpassed 25 million flight hours, reinforcing the Caravan as the most produced single-engine utility turboprop of all time.

Textron Aviation today announced the entry into service of its enhanced Cessna Skyhawk, Cessna Skylane, Turbo Skylane and Turbo Stationair HD following first deliveries for each aircraft. These latest product investments aim to provide a modern and stylish tone that aligns with the newest Cessna Citation jets, while maintaining the renowned comfort, durability and performance of the iconic Cessna piston lineup.

Textron Aviation today announced a purchase agreement for the first Cessna SkyCourier passenger variant in Australia to regional airline Hinterland Aviation. The aircraft, expected to deliver in 2026, will add to Hinterland’s expansive fleet of Cessna Grand Caravans to provide a greater payload capacity and increased passenger seating. This fleet expansion will greatly benefit remote communities, as well as the tourism and business sectors in Queensland.

Textron Aviation today announced the delivery of a new Cessna Grand Caravan EX Amphibian turboprop to Malaysian property developer, Ikhasas Sdn Bhd, via its subsidiary company Oriental Sky Sdn Bhd. The aircraft, to be managed and operated by local charter operator Systematic Aviation Services (SAS), will be used for passenger transport between the capital city of Kuala Lumpur and a new waterfront resort on Perhentian islands, off the northern east coast of Malaysia. This will be the country’s first amphibious airplane operation in recent history after it gained necessary approvals from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia to launch domestic operations in 2024.