Textron Aviation’s Cessna SkyCourier has been certified by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, marking a significant expansion for the utility twin turboprop aircraft in Southeast Asia’s remote areas.
The first SkyCourier is scheduled for delivery to Leading Edge Air Services Corp. (Leascor), a subsidiary of ACDI Multipurpose Cooperative in the Philippines, in the latter half of 2025. Leascor has selected the 19-passenger variant of the aircraft.
Gilbert Llanto, chairman of ACDI MPC, expressed enthusiasm about the new addition: “We are excited to connect underserved communities in the Philippines with the new 19-seat SkyCourier turboprop, which will complement our present fleet. It will significantly enhance our business lines in tourism, agriculture, food, aviation, mobility, and construction across the archipelago.”
Certified by the FAA in March 2022, the high-wing SkyCourier is available in freighter, passenger, and combi configurations, and can be equipped with gravel kits for operations in remote areas at reduced operating costs. The 19-passenger model includes crew and passenger doors and large cabin windows, while the freighter variant can carry three LD3 shipping containers with a payload capacity of 6,000 pounds.
The SkyCourier is powered by Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65SC engines, McCauley Propeller C779 110-inch aluminum four-blade propellers, and features Garmin G1000 NXi avionics. It boasts a maximum cruise speed of over 200 knots and a range of 900 nautical miles.
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