What's new

Cessna SkyCourier Makes First Flight

Cessna's flying boxcars (this and the Caravan) seem like pretty cool airplanes.
 
I like it. Reminds me of the Twin Otter. I like rugged looking work airplanes.
 
I'm guessing FEDEX will be all over this plane. We have dozens of FEDEX Caravans flying around western Washington, linking the hundreds of islands in Puget Sound and beyond.
 
FedEx is the launch customer and essentially had the plane designed to their specs. It was a big part of the reporting when the project was announced.
 
I like it. Reminds me of the Twin Otter. I like rugged looking work airplanes.

That's what I was thinking, although it looks bigger than the Twin Otter, but that may be due to the beautiful, Soylent Green color.
 
It's because it's *way* bigger in cross section. They sized it to take a standard cargo container. 3 of them, actually. I imagine this is going to make ramp operations super fast for them.

Anyone know how they load the Caravans? Do they stack loose boxes and cover them with cargo nets?
 
If you want bigger...get a C-27 Spartan. The USAF bought them but retired them since they weren't C-17's. It has about 4 times the lift of the SkyCourier and uses two engines used by the C-130.
 
I guess nobody over here likes the Let 410?
It will be interesting to see where these may be used. I know, with expanding package delivery from Amazon and other online shopping, package volume is increased dramatically. Some small contract freight outfits around here, using 402 and 404s, Navajos, even Metroliners, are running out of room and need bigger aircraft for their usual daily runs.
 
The SkyCourier was designed to carry 3 LD3 containers per a FedEx request. I believe the Let is bulk loading only.
 
Reminds me of the Short Brothers Skyvan. Which was hugely popular in Europe, even the USAF flew. I had a friend that was AC on one and he loved! He flew into RAF Mildenhall once and gave me a tour. I was genuinely impressed with it.

 
Cessna still builds airplanes? :unsure:
 
Looks like the mu-2, taking away some items to simplify operations and reduce maintenance. Hope it is quieter
 
Top Bottom