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New Small Aircraft Takes Flight
Cessna has designed a new aircraft. The Cessna 408 SkyCourier, I believe, is the largest aircraft that Cessna has made. It’ll carry up to 19 passengers or three tons of cargo for 460 miles at 230 mph. Powered by twin turbo prop engines, it’s almost the exact opposite of any plane that Boeing makes. A high wing design, it’s far smaller, short-range and cheap — around $5.5 million each. For a commercial plane, that’s a bargain. Its first flight was just a few weeks ago, on May 17, it has yet to receive FAA certification, but is expected to enter service next year.
FedEx has signed on to take the first 50 — with options on 50 more.
This could be quite a departure for Cessna, which is primarily known for making small private aircraft. This would be Cessna’s largest foray into the commercial aviation market place.
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Published in Economics
Rough field operation is more a function of accessories than of primary design. Canada is one of the few nations still flying the 737-100 and 737-200 – because they’re capable of landing on gravel air strips in the Canadian north – that newer models of the 737 are not. and its not a function of weight – its because the older jets have Foreign Object Guards – or Screens that protect the jet intakes from debris that could damage the engine. A gravel runway is nothing but a waiting room for Foreign Objects waiting for an engine to destroy.
Compare the takeoff field requirements of the two aircraft?
Yes, that does limit where you could land, as it seems that shorter run ways a preferred for off airport operations.
My daughter learned in a Cessna at her military school, Randolph-Macon Academy in Front Royal, VA. They have two of them, and they are turning out a lot of pilots. While I appreciate giving the kids a chance to learn something so wonderful as flying, I am awed by the sheer courage it takes to be one of their instructors. My dad taught Driver Ed, and that’s terrifying enough in two dimensions.
I love it. Good luck Cessna.
Canadair Waterbomber. The same company that still makes Twin Otters plans to start producing new planes based on the waterbomber, but with the possibility of the plane being used for other purposes as well like cargo. This would allow operators to make money from their planes outside of fire season.
Actually no, Canadair ceased operation in 1996. Twin Otters are now being built by Viking Air which bought the designs and type certificates for not just the Otter, but DHC-1 through DHC-8 (Dash8) plus “SkyVan”.
The DHC-2 is the Beaver, DHC-3 is the Twin Otter.
Viking Air is building Skyvans? I’ve got to check this out. The Shorts Skyvan is my all time favorite airplane. It’s large and dumpy-looking, but it does some things better than any other plane. Like take off from a dirt strip fully loaded in 600 feet.
According to Wikipedia they have the rights to it. I dont know that they’ve actually sold any. The Twin Otter is a far more famous aircraft.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viking_Air
Yes, I saw that. I didn’t think that Shorts were building any more of them, but there are still several flying. I encountered one at an airport in Lincoln, NE once. The owner told me that he never figured out how to make a profit with it, but he could take an engine on a repair stand and wheel the whole thing into the Skyvan, strap it down, and go. Skydivers love it because the whole rear of the plane comes off when you open the door, and you just stroll out.
I think they most often get used by skydiving schools. I think a lot of those acrobatic parachute stunts jump off one of them.