Textron Delivers First Cessna SkyCourier to FedEx Express

The clean-sheet aircraft achieved FAA type certification in March.

“We’re thrilled to deliver this aircraft that will help FedEx serve its customers more efficiently as it is designed with the option to carry industry-standard prepacked cargo containers,” Ron Draper, Textron Aviation president and CEO, said in a statement. 

“We believe many other air freight, passenger and special mission operators also will benefit from the winning combination of low operating costs and unparalleled lift capacity that the new Cessna SkyCourier brings to the market.”

Members of the FedEx Express design and engineering teams participated in Textron Aviation’s Customer Advisory Board, which helped shape the aircraft’s design, features and serviceability. The company has committed to 100 units, with 50 in the cargo configuration and 50 more on option.

“The result of four-and-a-half years of collaboration with Textron Aviation on this aircraft, FedEx Express is excited to add the Cessna 408 SkyCourier as part of our fleet modernization program,” Scot Struminger, CEO and executive vice president of aviation for FedEx Express, said in the same statement.

The new model made its first flight in 2020 with the first production model seeing daylight in early February.

Powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65SC engines driving McCauley C779 four-blade, 110-inch-diameter propellers, the SkyCourier comes in both cargo and passenger configurations.

Features include:

The SkyCourier cruises at speeds over 200 ktas and up to a 900-nm maximum range. The passenger variant can hold up to 19 people plus pilot—with a separate crew door for flexibility in boarding.