Cleiton Táxi Aéreo (CTA) will operate the Cessna SkyCourier in Combi configuration kit after the type was certified by Agencia Nacional de Aviacao Civil (ANAC), the national civil aviation authority of Brazil. This marks the first delivery of the SkyCourier into South America.

CTA recently took delivery of a passenger variant of the twin-engine, large-utility turboprop equipped with conversion kits that enable the standard 19-passenger interior to be configured to a nine-passenger and cargo Combi or to a full freighter configuration. The aircraft also has the optional gravel kit installed, allowing it to land on unpaved runways and access more remote locations. CTA's order includes two Cessna SkyCourier aircraft of the same configuration, with the second expected to be delivered in 2026.

“The Cessna SkyCourier is an excellent aircraft to support regional missions and services across South America,” says Lannie O'Bannion, senior vice president, sales and marketing, Textron. “We look forward to seeing the impact this versatile and hardworking turboprop will have on CTA's operations.”

Founded by Cleiton Sérgio de Sousa, Cleiton Táxi Aéreo first became a customer of Textron Aviation with the purchase of the Cessna 210 Centurion in 1995 to begin charter operations across the Amazon region. Since then, the company has operated a fleet ranging from the Cessna Caravan to the Beechcraft King Air, each aircraft fulfilling a variety of special missions and charter operations across the region.

The Cessna SkyCourier recently marked five years since the aircraft prototype first took flight in 2020. Since it entered into service in 2022, the aircraft has proven itself as a valuable business tool for both cargo and passenger operations, with recent milestones including the first delivery to Canada and first order from the Marshall Islands, among others.

The twin-engine, high-wing turboprop offers a combination of performance and lower operating costs for air freight, commuter and special mission operators.

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 Canada 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 nautical-mile maximum range.