Textron Aviation's new single-engine turboprop, the Beechcraft Denali, has taken to the skies for the first time. The milestone first flight is a major step for the clean-sheet design aircraft and begins the important flight test programme that substantiates the segment-leading performance expected of the Denali.

“Today's landmark flight is not only a significant occasion for the Denali, it's a truly great moment for our employees, our suppliers and the customers who will be flying this aircraft,” says president and CEO Ron Draper. “With its more environmentally friendly engine and the largest cabin in its class, this is an aircraft that will change the landscape for high-performance single-engine turboprop aircraft. Today's flight is just the beginning for what we anticipate will be a long list of important accomplishments as we prepare the aircraft for certification and customer deliveries.”

Piloted by senior test pilot Peter Gracey and chief test pilot Dustin Smisor, the prototype aircraft, powered by GE Aviation's new Catalyst engine, took off at approximately 8.20 am from the company's west campus at Eisenhower International airport in Wichita, Kansas. During the two hour and 50 minute flight, the team tested the aircraft's performance, stability and control, as well as its propulsion, environmental, flight controls and avionics systems. The aircraft reached an altitude of 15,600 ft and attained speeds of 180 knots.

“From the beginning of the flight to the end, the Denali was simply flawless,” says Gracey. “It's just a great aircraft to fly. The Catalyst engine was outstanding, and the aircraft performed to the levels we were anticipating. First flights really can't go more smoothly than this. We are off to an excellent start for the Denali flight test programme.”

The Denali prototype aircraft, along with two additional flight test articles and three full airframe ground test articles, will continue to expand on operational goals, focusing on testing aircraft systems, engine, avionics and overall performance. The company is targeting certification in 2023.

Engineered to achieve cruise speeds of 285 knots and full fuel payload of 1,100 lbs, the Denali is designed to have a range of 1,600 nm 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.

The Denali is the first aircraft powered with GE's Catalyst engine, a more sustainable engine that burns up to 20 per cent less fuel than older turboprop technologies. Like the company's other aircraft, the Denali can also use sustainable aviation fuel. The FADEC-equipped, 1,300 shp-rated turboprop engine eases pilot workload with its single-lever power and propeller control.

The airplane is also equipped with McCauley's new 105 inch diameter composite, five-blade, constant speed propeller, which is full feathering with reversible pitch and ice protection.

The cockpit features the Garmin G3000 intuitive avionics suite with high resolution and touchscreen controllers. An integrated Garmin autothrottle is now a standard feature, which interfaces with the Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) and Flight Management System (FMS) to provide easy speed control throughout all regimes of flight from take off to touchdown.

The Beechcraft Denali's flat floor cabin is designed to be the largest in its segment and offers the versatility to easily convert between passenger and cargo configurations. It features a standard seating configuration of six individual reclining seats and offers a nine place high density seating option. Passengers will also enjoy large cabin windows, a forward refreshment cabinet and an in-flight accessible baggage compartment. An optional externally serviceable belted lavatory in the rear of the cabin is also available.