Every Bulletin story and press release covering Textron Aviation Inc., newest first.
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The M2 Gen3 aircraft has entered a wider test programme as Textron works towards certification and planned service entry in 2027.
The planned separation will create a more focused aerospace and defence group while giving Industrial its own growth path.
Expanded cockpit capability and updated ignition systems have improved safety features and reduced operating complexity across multiple high-wing aircraft.
Textron has secured FAA type certification for the Cessna Citation Ascend, with customer deliveries expected to begin later this year.
Textron has confirmed that the first production Citation Ascend left its Wichita facility on September 15, marking a key programme milestone.
The company has replaced the magneto system with electronic ignition during the 70th anniversary year of the Cessna 172 Skyhawk.
The new design improves performance and shortens the pathway to production by transferring much of what worked well in the test vehicle that flew, into the new streamlined design.
The team evaluated the new avionics systems, along with the propulsion, environmental and flight control systems, during the 1 hour and 47 minute flight.
The Ascend program includes two test articles – Prototype (Proto) and P1 – which have accumulated nearly 600 flight hours through more than 200 flights.
Textron Aviation's new SMS program includes a voluntary reporting tool that allows employees, customers or suppliers to anonymously report aircraft quality risks or hazards directly to the company's SMS Committee.
This marks the latest OEM contract for IS&S building on existing OEM programs with Pilatus Aircraft for the PC-24, Textron for the King Air 260/360, and Boeing for the KC-46A, KC-767A and the T-7A.
The aircraft will fly twice as far and twice as fast as the current fleet. By utilising mature tiltrotor technology coupled with an innovative digital engineering approach it will be reliable, affordable and high-performing.
Users can retrieve and analyse data with ease using extensive Flight Data Applications and Services, including cloud-based data collection for Flight Data Monitoring (FDM), analysis, animation and reporting tools.
The initial flight of P1, piloted by Michael Bradfield and Maurice Girard, lasted one hour and 24 minutes, reaching a maximum altitude of 13,500 feet with a maximum speed of 308 knots.
The prototype aircraft has successfully completed over 350 flight test hours plus rigorous certification tests for extreme hot and cold weather testing, bird strike, braking performance, tyre burst and windows.
One of the most notable changes in the cockpit is an added 4.5 inches of legroom for the pilot, allowing a comfortable and focused flight experience.
Garmin Autothrottles enhances the Citation M2 Gen2 and Embraer 300E's capabilities by optimising engine power, simplifying flight management and increasing overall operating efficiency.
Equipped with Garmin G1000 NXi avionics, Caravans will have an array of new features and technology including the GDL 60 datalink, the GTX 345DR diversity transponder and the GI 275 electronic standby.
New power headset jacks and charging ports at every seat, upgraded seats with additional support and padding, and a brand-new centre armrest will feature from 2024.
The company is now working on construction of a full-scale Kona autonomous blended-wing body (BWB) cargo aircraft technology demonstrator, which will have a wingspan of 85 feet.
Amongst many enhancements, the Ascend will include all-new cabin windows that are nearly 15 per cent larger and offer more natural light with translucent and opaque shade settings and optional lighted window rings.
The Caravan program was launched in 1981, and was certificated in 1984. Over forty years of product evolution it has become one of the most widely used aircraft types throughout the world.
The European electric aircraft experts will form the basis of a whole new segment under the Textron eAviation name, focused on urban air mobility, general aviation, cargo and special mission roles.
The Lycoming engine drives a constant-speed, three-blade, electric de-ice McCauley propeller, while the cockpit has Garmin G1000 NXi avionics with a new GI 275 electric standby, providing a brand-new cockpit interface.
Production of the SkyCourier incorporates monolithic machining throughout the airframe. With this technique, major assemblies are milled from a single piece of metal rather than assembled from smaller pieces.
Subject to finance, Surf Air Mobility will buy up to 150 Cessna Grand Caravans and convert them to hybrid electric power. Textron will market the concept for new deliveries and after-market conversions.
The clean-sheet design of the Longitude integrates the latest technology throughout the aircraft, which is reckoned to bring customers the lowest direct operating cost in its class.
Textron can now continue to use a traditional, single stage exterior coating system like Jet Glo Express or Acry Glo, or offer a basecoat-clearcoat finish in the form of SKYscapes Next Generation.
GAMA's numbers for 2020 are not pretty. Its members' aircraft deliveries were worth about $4 billion dollars less than the previous year, with North America accounting for the majority of sales.
Aircraft systems like avionics, environmental control and anti-icing will all come under the spotlight now that a second aircraft has joined Cessna's SkyCourier flight test program. The first has notched up 38 flights.