The development process for the Beechcraft Denali began with its announcement in November 2015. Powered by General Electric's Advanced Turboprop (ATP) engine—later renamed GE Catalyst—the aircraft was designed for business aviation customers seeking high-performance light aircraft.
Textron revealed details about the plane's performance and cabin on May 23rd, 2016. Initially named Cessna Denali at AirVenture Oshkosh that year, it was later rebranded under Beechcraft.
By May 2017, integrity tests on various components were underway. Flight testing was initially planned for late 2018 with certification expected in 2019. However, delays primarily related to engine development pushed these timelines back significantly.
In July 2021, after three years of delays partly due to COVID-19 pandemic- related disruptions., flight tests resumed using a King Air350 testbed aircraft equipped with GE Catalyst engines.. On November23rd ,2021,the Denali completed its first test flight from Wichita Kansas lasting around two hours and fifty minutes .
By mid-2022,a second prototype joined development efforts followed by a third one in May2023.The fleet accumulated over1300flight hours across more than500flights by then .Despite progress ,certification had been postponed until2025due continued delays with engine certification process raising price tag up-to $6 .45 million per unit .
Finally,in February2025,the Federal Aviation Administration(FAA) granted final certification once GE Catalyst engine completed8000hours of testing.Currently, cleared for introduction into service by2026,onl ythree prototypes have logged collectively2700+flight hours conducting1100+test flights .
The Beechcraft Denali can accommodate between seven-nine passengers featuring advanced Garmin G3000 avionics suite powered by1300horsepower GE Catalyst turboprop engine capable cruising maximum speed328miles per hour having range1600nautical miles operating ceiling31000feet pressurized cabin altitude6130feet spacious comfortable interior larger cargo door compared competitors enhancing versatility ease handling safety next-generation Garmin Emergency Autoland system among other notable features metal-bonded wings McCauley5-blade composite propellers ensuring exceptional control efficient operations durability reliability making advanced planes sky today despite extensive program setbacks hampering timely market entry potential financial success remains promising future ahead climbing steep hill gaining customer confidence restoring faith Textron lineup overall Photo Textron Aviation Get latest private news Simple Flying Related How Collins Aerospace NP2000 Propeller Kit Advances C130 Other Turboprops look advances NP2000 propeller kit provides C130s E2s turboprops Posts2
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