OSHKOSH, Wis. — Just one year after announcing it would bring a clean-sheet design single engine turboprop (SETP) to market, Textron Aviation unveiled the Cessna Denali on opening day of AirVenture 2016.
A mockup of the aircraft’s cabin sits alongside a mockup of GE Aviation’s all new advanced turboprop engine at Textron Aviation’s chalet.
The Cessna Denali name captures the rugged, yet refined qualities of the high-performance single engine turboprop aircraft, company officials noted. The program is targeted to achieve first flight in 2018 and letters of intent are being accepted.
The clean-sheet Cessna Denali is being engineered to achieve cruise speeds of 285 knots, a full fuel payload of 1,100 pounds, and a range of 1,600 nautical miles at high speed cruise with one pilot and four passengers. It will be able to fly from Los Angeles to Chicago, New York to Miami, or London to Moscow.
The Denali will be powered by GE’s new advanced turboprop engine. The FADEC-equipped, 1,240 shaft horsepower (SHP)-rated turboprop engine will ease pilot workload with its single-lever power and propeller control, company officials said. The engine is designed to provide an initial 4,000 hour time between overhaul.
The airplane will be equipped with McCauley’s new 105-inch diameter composite, 5-blade, constant speed propeller, which is full feathering with reversible pitch and ice protection.
The Denali will feature the Garmin G3000, which will include weather radar, advanced Terrain Awareness Warning Systems (TAWS), and automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) capabilities.
The Denali’s cabin will feature a standard seating configuration of six individual reclining seats and will offer a nine-place high density seating option. The aircraft will boast a digital pressurization system maintaining a 6,130 foot cabin altitude at a service ceiling of 31,000 feet.
An option that will be offered is an externally serviceable belted lavatory with pocket door enclosure that is located in the back of the cabin.
Cessna should have went after that market with this low wing design Denali after the Caravan was developed in the 80’s. The problem back then was that Russ Meyers II did not have any interest in developing another prop aircraft. His vision was for the Citation series only and get out of the propeller business. He wouldn’t even support the existing fleet with adequate spares for previously built aircraft then either.
I know because I worked there myself for 14 years.
CJ, Yes – I agree! Easier to go from (upsell) A (Caravan) to B (Denali) then from A – D (Citation line) as to Mr. Meyer’s so called “vision” – glasses/contacts anyone? Take a look at “common cent$” marketing: PC-12=PC-24????