Textron Aviation has delivered its first Cessna SkyCourier turboprop to Air Bravo Corporation, a Canadian company. This delivery follows the certification of the aircraft by Transport Canada in late 2024. The aircraft will be used for transporting air cargo across Ontario.
Air Bravo, established in 2001 and based in Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Barrie, and Meaford, Ontario, is the first Canadian recipient of the Cessna SkyCourier freighter. The Cessna 408 SkyCourier is designed for single-pilot operations and can be reconfigured for various missions efficiently. Rick Horwath, president and CEO of Air Bravo, commented on the acquisition: “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.”
On December 17, 2024, Textron Aviation announced that its large twin-engine utility aircraft had received type certification from Transport Canada. Lannie O’Bannion, Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Flight Operations at Cessna, remarked on this achievement: “The SkyCourier’s outstanding performance will be a game-changer for our customers across Canada.”
The Cessna SkyCourier was launched in 2017 to meet FedEx Feeder’s needs. It completed its first flight in 2020 and received type certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2022. This twin-engine turboprop is available in both freighter and passenger versions.
Powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65SC engines with McCauley Propeller C779 four-blade propellers, it boasts a maximum cruise speed of over 242 miles per hour (389 km/h) and a range of up to 900 nautical miles (1,666 km). The cabin can accommodate up to 19 passengers with ample space.
The aircraft has gained popularity among operators such as Bering Air, FedEx Feeder, Empire Airlines, Everts Air, Corporate Air, Kamaka Air, Lānaʻi Air, Mountain Air Cargo, Western Aircraft, and Samaritan’s Purse.
