Cessna Unveils Denali Turboprop

Visitors to EAA AirVenture are getting their first look at the cabin mockup of the new Cessna Denali, a clean-sheet turboprop featuring a six-seat executive interior, large aft cargo door that is reminiscent of the Pilatus PC-12’s, and power from a new fadec-controlled engine under development by GE Aviation.

The Denali — previously known as the SETP (single-engine turboprop) — will be slightly larger than the PC-12 NG, with operating economics that Cessna says will beat out all competitors. The price of $4.8 million is close to the PC-12’s as well. Cruise speed is listed as 285 knots, full fuel payload 1,100 pounds and service ceiling 31,000 feet. The Denali will have a range of 1,600 nautical miles at high-speed cruise with one pilot and four passengers, and will be able to fly 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 Kriya Shortt, Textron Aviation senior vice president of sales and marketing.

The Denali’s 1,240 shp GE turboprop engine will offer single-lever power and propeller control. The airplane will also feature Garmin G3000 avionics with weather radar, terrain alerting, ADS-B Out and RVSM capability.

The Denali cabin mockup at Textron’s Oshkosh exhibit features a standard configuration with six reclining seats and optional belted aft lavatory. Cessna will also offer a nine-place high-density seating option. Highlights of the cabin are large round windows, interior LED lighting, a forward refreshment cabinet and an in-flight accessible baggage compartment.

First flight of the Denali is scheduled to occur in 2018.