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Textron Flies Its Beechcraft Denali Turboprop Single For The First Time
Textron Aviation’s single-engine turboprop, the Beechcraft Denali, made its first flight Tuesday (Nov. 23) from the company’s west campus at Eisenhower International Airport in Wichita, Kansas. (www.avweb.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
I’m sure production workers who built the King Air are anxious to see this new aircraft receive approval as soon as possible.
I doubt that Textron/Beechcraft will ever equal Pilatus products in quality. The PC12 is the Rolex of single turbo engine powered aircraft.
Once again, American technology is way behind (in this case decades!) the global competition (ex: direct competitor Pilatus PC-12) and is left with scrapping for leftovers. Does the US economy have enough appetite for a PC-12 "clone"? Considering the largest base of PC-12s is North America, where the aircraft is very popular, I cannot see how the market is there for Textron. IMHO, too little, too late. What was the board thinking?
I suppose you missed the bit about the new GE engine. Consuming 20% less fuel than older turboprop technologies sounds significant don’t you think? Sounds like American technology might be way ahead in this particular case.
"Older turboprop technologies" and "UP TO 20%" being the key phrases.
"Up to" meaning in optimum conditions that won't often be met.
"Older turboprop technologies" meaning non-FADEC engines. Pratt has already responded with the EEC-equipped PT6E-67XP.
The few advantages that the Denali would have had, Pilatus/Pratt have already taken care of.
"Up to" meaning in optimum conditions that won't often be met.
"Older turboprop technologies" meaning non-FADEC engines. Pratt has already responded with the EEC-equipped PT6E-67XP.
The few advantages that the Denali would have had, Pilatus/Pratt have already taken care of.
Not purely American technology: the GE Catalyst engine, although produced by a nominally USA-based multinational corporation, appears to be of European design, development, and manufacture, according to Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Electric_Catalyst
So the apparent competition:
Pilatus PC12, Swiss airframe with Canadian engine
vs
Textron/Beechcraft Denali, American airframe with European engine
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Electric_Catalyst
So the apparent competition:
Pilatus PC12, Swiss airframe with Canadian engine
vs
Textron/Beechcraft Denali, American airframe with European engine
1. Better
2. Cheaper
3. Different
plus one illegitimate position:
4. Me too
There is nothing really wrong with "me too" but it typically does not breed loyalty.