Textron Aviation has made a successful first flight of its second Beechcraft Denali flight test article as momentum builds for the clean-sheet aircraft's certification programme. The milestone flight follows the Denali prototype, which completed its first flight in November 2021.

The second test aircraft joins the first Denali prototype in the important flight test programme that substantiates the segment-leading performance expected of the aircraft. The flight lasted two hours and one minute, reaching a maximum altitude of 15,500 ft with a maximum speed of 240 ktas. To date, the programme has accumulated more than 250 flight hours.

“This flight is another vitally important step for the Beechcraft Denali programme as the aircraft will be used primarily for testing aircraft systems like avionics, cabin environmental control and ice protection,” says senior vice president, engineering and programmes Chris Hearne. “The team has made great progress, accomplishing key goals in the flight test programme, and the Denali team heads into the second half of 2022 with a great deal of momentum.”

The Denali flight test certification programme is expected to eventually include a third flight test article and three full airframe ground test articles as it expands operational goals focusing on testing aircraft systems, engine, avionics and overall performance.

Engineered to achieve cruise speeds of 285 knots and full fuel payload of 1,100 pounds, the Denali has a range of 1,600 nm at high speed cruise with one pilot and four passengers and can fly from Los Angeles to Chicago, New York to Miami or London to Athens.

The Denali is the first aircraft powered with GE's Catalyst engine. 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 aircraft 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. The cabin 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.