Textron Aviation has completed expansion of its flight test hangar on the company's East Wichita Campus, increasing capacity to support growing global demand for the Cessna SkyCourier and continued development activity across its turboprop portfolio. The 57,000 sq ft expansion adds six new hangar bays on the north side of the facility, significantly increasing capacity for flight test operations as activity continues to accelerate for the twin-engine, large utility SkyCourier. The expanded footprint will also support ongoing flight test and entry-into-service work for the Beechcraft Denali.

“As demand for the Cessna SkyCourier continues to grow across commercial, cargo and special missions markets, it's critical that our facilities and teams are positioned to support that momentum,” says Lannie O'Bannion, senior vice president, sales and marketing. “By investing in additional flight test capacity, we are strengthening our ability to efficiently support development today and as demand continues to expand.”

Designed for versatility, the Cessna SkyCourier serves commercial passenger, cargo and special missions operators with multiple configurations and mission-ready performance. As the aircraft expands into defence and special missions applications, including its first military order, recent enhancements such as an in-flight operable door option further extend its operational flexibility across a broad range of missions.

From an operational standpoint, the expanded facility allows flight test teams to move more efficiently between aircraft preparation, data collection and evaluation, an important advantage as the SkyCourier supports an increasing range of missions and test requirements.

“With more space and flexibility, our teams can run multiple test profiles in parallel and turn aircraft more efficiently,” explains Brad White, senior vice president, manufacturing operations. “That capability is critical as the SkyCourier supports a growing range of real-world missions for operators around the globe.”

The expanded facility also reflects Textron's ongoing commitment to responsible operations, incorporating energy-efficient LED lighting and high-efficiency systems designed to reduce energy consumption while supporting demanding flight test activity.