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Cessna Denali

2019 MODERN AIRCRAFT

History

Denali, announced in 2015, is a Cessna turboprop airliner in development. It is designed to compete in the lightweight private market with a focus on low running costs (20% higher than comparable designs), versatility and performance. Cessna has partnered with engine maker GE Aviation to bring the plane to market.

Denali plans to conduct its maiden flight in late 2018 and launch certification/services in 2019.

According to the plan, the Denali can carry one to two people and can accommodate 8 to 11 passengers. Avionics are Garmin G3000 series systems combined with a fully digital cockpit layout with three large LCD displays showing relevant flight and performance information. Both crew positions have steering yokes and foot-operated rudder pedals. The structure has an overall length of 48.8 feet, a wingspan of 54.2 feet, and a height of 15 feet.

The cockpit is stepped and located behind the nose assembly that houses the engine unit. Lined with circular windows for viewing by passengers, the fuselage tapers to the rear, where the T-tail connects. The wing main aircraft is set low and sporty winglets on the sides of the fuselage for an economic advantage.

The retractable landing gear is a three-wheeled structure with two main legs under the wings and one leg under the nose. A rear cargo door is planned as part of the design to facilitate the transport of supplies in and out of the aircraft.

Power comes from a General Electric GE93 turboprop producing 1,240 horsepower and driving a five-blade propeller unit in the nose. The plane is said to have a cruising speed of 328 mph, a range of up to 1,600 nautical miles (towing four passengers), and a service ceiling of 31,000 feet.

The Denali is said to have excellent short-field capabilities, further enhanced by its reinforced chassis structure. Customers can choose to add a toilet in the rear of the cabin for better service on long flights.