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Textron Aviation unveils new large-utility turboprop, the Cessna SkyCourier
Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, today announced its new twin-engine, high-wing, large-utility turboprop – the Cessna SkyCourier 408. FedEx Express, the world’s largest express transportation company and longtime Textron Aviation customer, has signed on as the launch customer for up to 100 aircraft, with an initial fleet order of 50 cargo aircraft and options for 50 more. Entry into service for the clean-sheet design Cessna SkyCourier is planned for 2020. (txtav.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
Hope it can carry ice better than the Caravan
The first 25 Viking Air DHC-6-400 Twin Otters were offered at $2.5 million USD. Within a few years prices escalated to $7.0 million USD green. The same will happen with the C408. Launch prices are much lower than actual market prices. The C408 II pax will end up around $8.0 million USD green. The -65 engines fuel burn will be higher. The 90% financing will be the key to selling the C408 II pax. Same as Raytheon did with the Beech 1900’s. The C408 II pax has the power so Textron needs to take it one step further and design the STOL version while they are in the development phase to match or surpass the Twin Otter performance stats in all utility configurations. This will guarantee the success of the C408 II for the next 50 years. There has never been a competitor to the Twin Otter. Will Textron be up to the challenge or ???
https://www.skiesmag.com/news/skycourier-fast-track/?utm_source=skies-daily-news-top-story&utm_campaign=skies-daily-news&utm_medium=email&utm_term=top-story&utm_content=V1
New jump plane for skydivers?
Many OEM’s have tried to invade the Twin Otter Market over the years and some OEM’s are still trying with their derelict fleets of Y12, D228, Let 410, CASA 212, N219 and AN2 Aircraft. If Textron seriously intends to compete with the Twin Otter Head to Head then Textron must think outside the traditional OEM box then build the C408 to the same or better performance standards than the Twin Otter in all configurations plus offer to the smaller global Part 135 customers 90% financing which Viking Air has been unable to do thus far forcing Viking to lay off 60% of their work force. OEM’s must have a minimum two year backlog for long term planning. Ground clearance is very crucial for the STOL unimproved runway operations. Textron will need to produce two models. One C408 I or PF model aka SkyCourier for FEDEX to launch the C408 program and then another model C408 II version to specifically compete directly with the Twin Otter with heavy duty high flotation landing gear utilizing the larger tires for unimproved STOL runways, snow skies for Antarctica and even standard floats for operations in the Maldives. I would like to see the revised takeoff performance distance reduced to 700 meters for the C408 II model to see if Textron really intends to compete with the Twin Otter or does Textron only intend to compete in the D228, N219, Y12 and Let 410-UVPE Aircraft market.
My Additional comments:
Textron’s primary goal should be to sell sell sell. Once FEDEX takes delivery of the 50 to 100 SkyCourier Aircraft then what. Building a unpressurized 19 pax SkyCourier with giant PT6A-65 engines does not compete with the pressurized B1900. That leaves the derelict Y12E, D228-212, Let 410, AN2, Casa 212-200 and the new Indonesian N219 Aircraft that are still trying to compete with the Twin Otters. The SkyCourier has similar performance as the rest of these derelicts. If Textron wants to build another derelict Aircraft then continue with the current SkyCourier pax Aircraft plans. Textron would be lucky to sell 50 SkyCourier pax Aircraft over the next 20 years. If Textron wants to sell 500 plus C408 II Aircraft over the next 10 to 20 years then Textron must take off their gloves and design and build a C408 II that will be as good as or better than performance stats of a Twin Otter.
My Additional comments:
Textron’s primary goal should be to sell sell sell. Once FEDEX takes delivery of the 50 to 100 SkyCourier Aircraft then what. Building a unpressurized 19 pax SkyCourier with giant PT6A-65 engines does not compete with the pressurized B1900. That leaves the derelict Y12E, D228-212, Let 410, AN2, Casa 212-200 and the new Indonesian N219 Aircraft that are still trying to compete with the Twin Otters. The SkyCourier has similar performance as the rest of these derelicts. If Textron wants to build another derelict Aircraft then continue with the current SkyCourier pax Aircraft plans. Textron would be lucky to sell 50 SkyCourier pax Aircraft over the next 20 years. If Textron wants to sell 500 plus C408 II Aircraft over the next 10 to 20 years then Textron must take off their gloves and design and build a C408 II that will be as good as or better than performance stats of a Twin Otter.
Makes me ask , is the twin Otter still available, if not couldn't the used / refurbished market supply their needs?