Does the Cessna SkyCourier have any appeal as a regional airliner?

Posted by Presidentclash2@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 27 comments

The plane was designed as a utility/hybrid aircraft with cargo and/or passenger capabilities.

The plane is in a kind of awkward commercial market considering that most airline carriers would have better luck going for Dash-8 or an ATR42/72. The plane does seem to have strong cargo appeal and some commuter appeal.

The Cabin setup looks Beautiful. Every seat has access to a USB port and each seat has a 32' inch pitch. None of the renders showcase a fold up tray table or arm rails for the seats. The plane lacks a bathroom configuration and with only 19 seats.

Filling every seat seems like it would be only way for it to be profitable for any private operator?

Also if anyone has any clarification on what this means: "The non-pressurized design is built from aluminum and is equipped with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A engines", is the cabin pressurized or no?

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Aarkh@reddit

Maybe to a company like Kennmore Air, and the equivalent. But not like Horizon.

I believe the plane was designed basically for FedEx.

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taint_tattoo@reddit

I believe the plane was designed basically for FedEx.

From Wiki: Like the earlier Cessna 208 Caravan, the 408's design was developed with FedEx Express to match the needs of FedEx Feeder service. FedEx Express will be the launch customer, with an order of "50 cargo aircraft and options for 50 more". Its unit cost then was $5.5 million.

I could see this being useful to operators in places like Alaska where they have short hops with a limited number of passengers to remote villages. Lacking a toilet and pressurization limits the time you can keep passengers onboard.

Bigger problem may be range.... Cessna website says the full pax range is only 386nm.

The main reason Cessna limited seating to 19 pax is because flight attendants are required once you hit 20 pax.

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nighthawke75@reddit

Sounds like their infamous 401 twin. Good design, mediocre mileage.

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White_Lobster@reddit

I was wondering if Cape Air would replace their 402's with the SkyCourier, but I think they don't need something quite so big. The Tecnam seems to be a better fit.

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Extension-Ad-3882@reddit

Everts has ordered a few and already accepted delivery of one, so your theory of usefulness in Alaska has some supporting data.

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Presidentclash2@reddit (OP)

386nm.

Yep, Just as you and many others have stated. The plane was designed for Cargo transport in mind. That range is not great for full PAX. The NM range between San Jose, CA and Los Angeles is about 270NM. That's definitely cutting it close.

Its too bad because I would love to see more twin turbo planes in the 20-35 since ATR and the Dash Q400 dominate the current turboprop market and we don't have brands like Saab and Dornier producing planes anymore

BigC208@reddit

Twice the cargo volume and 50kt faster than the Twotter.

Tony_Three_Pies@reddit

is the cabin pressurized or no?

I mean, you literally quoted the answer to your own question...

AdUnhappy4957@reddit

it is

theoceanchannel@reddit

i could see this operating as an airliner in British columbia. tons of small airports with lots of distance. or as a medivac plane. tons of uses.

Any_Sale2030@reddit

It's not pressurized but on such short flights like this even a jet wouldn't be pressurized fully as it wouldn't fly high enough to need or use it.

burnerquester@reddit

Maybe US essential air service.

NathanArizona@reddit

What does “non-pressurized” mean

Means the inside isn't pressurized like a modern airliner. The inside air pressure = the outside air pressure.

Basically, means you can't go above 10k without supplemental oxygen.

So, like, a lack of pressurization?

So, like, totally.

skyboy510@reddit

I could see it taking over for the Beech 1900 in Canada, Alaska and the like when the 1900s are all worn out in another decade or so.

agha0013@reddit

something has to take over the somewhat abandoned 19 seat market.

Beech 1900s and Metroliners have been out of production for a while and there are still plenty of operations that want to use such things.

Doesn't quiet have 19, but as far as that market goes I've seen a lot of operators buying PC-12s and the equivalent. Doesn't quiet have 19 seats, I think 10? And also single engine.

SpeedOk702@reddit

The non-pressurized design

Meanwhile, OP:

Is the cabin pressurized?