Textron Aviation has delivered the first Cessna SkyCourier Combi twin-engine utility turboprop. The aircraft was delivered to Everts Air, an Alaska-based company that provides passenger, cargo and charter services throughout Alaska.
The SkyCourier Combi was certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in May and can have its interior quickly converted to transport passengers and cargo.
It is based on the passenger variant, which has up to 19 seats.
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At Everts Air, the new plane will join a SkyCourier freighter and six Cessna Caravans.
“I look at the Cessna SkyCourier as a next generation aircraft for Bush Alaska,” said Robert W. Everts, owner of Everts Air. “The SkyCourier Combi will allow us to be flexible and serve the unique needs of citizens in remote communities. Along with offering the reliability of a Cessna, the aircraft is highly adaptable and the ultimate solution for air freight and passenger support in Alaska.”
Two deliveries in 2024
The SkyCourier is a utility turboprop with features reminiscent of the successful Caravan such as high wings, hard landing gear and the ability to operate in various environments.
The aircraft is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65SC turboprop engines with four-bladed McCauley Propeller C779 aluminum propellers. The SkyCourier features Garmin G1000 NXi avionics and can reach a cruising speed of over 200 ktas – a maximum range of 900 nautical miles.
The passenger version can carry 19 people while the cargo model can carry up to 6,000 pounds including three LD3 containers.
Despite the virtues of the project, SkyCourier has had a 2024 with few deliveries. The Everts aircraft, registration N418RE, was the second delivered this year, after a freighter for FedEx.
Since it entered service, just over two years ago, the turboprop has only had 26 aircraft delivered.
