Surprise, surprise! Until Textron’s press conference today, speculation was still running strong concerning what brand under which the SETP would live. The curtain came down that covered the cabin mock up and it was speculation no further; Textron’s new single engine turbo prop (SETP) is called the Cessna Denali. Textron would go on to announce the Denali would be constructed at the Textron Aviation east campus in Wichita, Kansas and cost an estimated $4.8 million U.S.
“The Cessna Denali will enter the market as the superior aircraft in its segment,” said Kriya Shortt, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing, Textron Aviation. “The Denali is already garnering interest and commitments because of its winning combination of features, including class-leading performance and ownership costs, as well as the widest and most comfortable cabin in its segment, all backed by an unrivaled global factory-direct service network.”
Textron Aviation described the Cessna Denali name as capturing the rugged, yet refined qualities of the high-performance single engine turboprop aircraft. First flight is scheduled for 2018 and letters of intent are being accepted.
“The Denali will balance great handling characteristics with the enhanced capability of a high performance turboprop, making it a great step up airplane for piston owners who are ready for more performance,” said Shortt.
Textron noted the Denali is designed from the ground up to outperform competition in capability, pilot interface and ownership costs. The aircraft is engineered to produce cruise speeds of 285 knots and full fuel payload of 1,100 pounds. Range will be 1,600 nautical miles at high speed crusie with one pilot and four passengers. Possible trip abilities include flying from Los Angeles to Chicago, New York to Miami, or London to Moscow.
“Simply put, no aircraft in this class even comes close to the Cessna Denali. We are confident the Denali will quickly rise as the leader in the high-performance single engine turboprop market,” said Shortt.
GE’s new, FADEC-equipped, 1,240 shaft horse power (SHP)-rated turboprop engine will come with a single-lever power and propeller control. McCauley will provide the new 105-diameter composite, 5-blade, constant speed propeller, which is full feathering with reversible pitch and ice protection. The engine is designed for an initial 4,000 hour time between overhaul.
As for avionics it will come equipped with the Garmin G3000 intuitive touchscreen avionics suite and will include high-resolution multifunction displays and split-screen capability. The G3000 flight deck will include weather radar, advanced Terrain Awareness Warning Systems (TAWS), and automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) capabilities, which will make it compliant with a significant aspect of future Next Generation air traffic control requirements.
The Cessna Denali’s flat floor cabin is designed to be the largest in its segment and will offer the versatility to easily convert between passenger and cargo configurations. The aircraft will feature a class-leading 53-inch wide by 59-inch high aft cargo door, perfect for loading large cargo and ideal for use in many special mission applications.
The Denali’s cabin will feature a standard seating configuration of six individual reclining seats and will offer a nine-place high density seating option. The aircraft will boast a digital pressurization system maintaining a 6,130 foot cabin altitude at a service ceiling of 31,000 feet. First in this class of aircraft, the Denali will offer customers an optional externally serviceable belted lavatory with pocket door enclosure that is located in the back of the cabin. Denali customers will also enjoy the large cabin windows, interior LED lighting, a forward refreshment cabinet and an in-flight accessible baggage compartment.