Canadian passenger, cargo and air ambulance organisation Air Bravo has taken delivery of the country’s first twin turboprop Cessna SkyCourier. The operator is based in Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Barrie and Meaford, Ontario. The aircraft, a freighter variant, will be used to transport cargo throughout the region.

“We’re proud to be the first SkyCourier customer in Canada, and this aircraft is a perfect fit for supporting the cargo side of our business,” says Rick Horwath, president and CEO, Air Bravo. “The aircraft has a roomy cockpit, it’s easy to fly and the avionics are user-friendly. We look forward to putting it to use.”

“The SkyCourier is a versatile aircraft, with cabin flexibility, high payload capability and performance, and low operating costs. It has quickly proven to be an excellent choice for a wide range of missions,” adds Lannie O’Bannion, senior vice president, global sales and flight operations, Textron Aviation. “We look forward to seeing Air Bravo utilise the aircraft to support and enhance its business operations.”

With the ability to be operated by a single pilot, the SkyCourier is an ideal solution for air freight, passenger and special missions. The aircraft is highly adaptable and can easily adjust configurations to effectively complete virtually any mission, supporting a significant return on investment. The aircraft also has capabilities to support a wide range of operational activities in remote areas.

Air Bravo, which was founded in 2001, has grown to become one of Ontario’s most successful air carriers. The company offers reliable passenger, cargo and air ambulance flight services to nearly any airstrip in North America.

Textron Aviation announced the Cessna SkyCourier was awarded type certification by Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) in late 2024. The twin-engine, high-wing turboprop offers a combination of performance and lower operating costs for air freight, commuter and special mission operators. It is available in both freighter and passenger variants, as well with a Combi configuration or gravel kit for maximum flexibility.

The freighter variant is sized to handle up to three LD3 shipping containers with an impressive 6,000 pounds of payload capability. The 19-passenger variant includes crew and passenger doors for smooth boarding, as well as large cabin windows for natural light and views. Both configurations offer single-point pressure refuelling to enable faster turnarounds.

The SkyCourier is powered by two wing-mounted Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65SC turboprop engines and features the McCauley Propeller C779, a heavy-duty and reliable 110-inch aluminium four-blade propeller, which is full feathering with reversible pitch, designed to enhance the performance of the aircraft while hauling tremendous loads. The SkyCourier is operated with Garmin G1000 NXi avionics and has a maximum cruise speed of more than 200 kts and a 900 nm maximum range.