Textron Aviation has delivered a freighter version of its Cessna SkyCourier to Air Bravo Corporation, marking the first time the turboprop has been sent to a customer in Canada.
Air Bravo Corporation is a passenger, cargo and air ambulance flight service company based in Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Barrie and Meaford, Ontario. The twin-engine, large-utility turboprop freighter will be used to transport cargo throughout the region.
The turboprop is available in both freighter and passenger variants, as well with a Combi configuration
The freighter variant features a flat-floor cabin that is sized to handle up to three LD3 shipping containers with 6,000 pounds of payload capability.
Both variants offer a large cargo door and single-point pressure refuelling to enable faster turnarounds. Both configurations can also be operated by a single pilot.
With its short take-off and landing capability, the aircraft can operate from smaller runways, reaching remote communities and serving locations with limited infrastructure.
Textron Aviation announced the Cessna SkyCourier was awarded type certification by Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) in December last year.
“The SkyCourier is a versatile aircraft, with cabin flexibility, high payload capability and performance and low operating costs. It has quickly proven to be an excellent choice for a wide range of missions,” said Lannie O’Bannion, senior vice president, global sales and flight operations, Textron Aviation.
“We look forward to seeing Air Bravo utilize the aircraft to support and enhance their business operations.”
“We’re proud to be the first SkyCourier customer in Canada, and this aircraft is a perfect fit for supporting the cargo side of our business,” added Rick Horwath, president and chief executive, Air Bravo.
“The aircraft has a roomy cockpit, it’s easy to fly and the avionics are user friendly. We look forward to putting it to use.”
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted type certification for Textron Aviation’s Cessna SkyCourier in March 2022. Textron Aviation then delivered the first of 50 Cessna SkyCourier freighters to FedEx Express in May 2022.
FexEx feeder airline Mountain Air Cargo became the first company to operate the SkyCourier in January 2023.
FedEx Express was the Cessna SkyCourier’s launch customer after signing a deal in 2017. The company agreed to an initial fleet order of 50 cargo aircraft and options for 50 more.